I'm sitting in my office listening to "Babar, the Little Elephant."
This story by Jean de Brunhoff was set to music by Francis Poulenc.
I first heard it in 1969, when a fellow called Eric Phillips from Australia
visited Sri Lanka, and performed it. Ever since, I've wanted to own a
recording of it, and finally I got one!
This one is by Timothy Russell & the Pro Music Players, and is narrated by
Janet Bookspan. The original was for piano and narrator- -which was the
way Eric performed it. The version I'm listening to now is for a chamber
group: 2 violins, one each of vla, cell, bass, fr Hrn, Flu, Ob, Cl, Bsn,
piano; & percussion.
It is a delightful story, wacky and whimsical. Poulenc is the perfect foil
for de Brunhoff's literary talents. I'm having a wonderful time!
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