Carnival (Standard version)

Like all good children’s literature, these lighthearted ponderings belie serious ideas...The Kanneh-Masons are superb, applying a light touch that comes from serious musicianship. Pianist Isata... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2020, More…

Release Date: 6th Nov 2020
Catalogue No: 4851156
Label: Decca
Length: 63 minutes

Presto Recording of the Week

20th November 2020

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Saint-Saëns: Preamble

1:13

$1.10

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$2.05

Aminata Kanneh-Mason (violin), Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (cello), Michael Morpurgo (narrator), Konya Kanneh-Mason (violin), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Introduction and Royal March of the Lion

0:37

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

2:13

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Toby Hughes (double bass), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Introduction and Royal March of the Lion

2:13

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Hens and Roosters

0:58

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

0:49

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Timothy Ridout (viola), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin), Mark Simpson (clarinet), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Hens and Roosters

0:49

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Wild Donkeys Swift Animals (or Make What You Like of That)

1:03

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

0:33

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Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Wild Donkeys Swift Animals

0:33

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Tortoises

1:38

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

2:18

$1.10

$1.40

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Toby Hughes (double bass), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Ayla Sahin (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Tortoises

2:18

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The Elephant

0:50

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

1:38

$1.10

$1.40

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Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano), Toby Hughes (double bass)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

The Elephant

1:38

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Kangaroos

0:53

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

0:59

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Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Kangaroos

0:59

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Aquarium (or I Have a Friend)

1:07

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

2:46

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Alasdair Malloy (glass harmonica), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Adam Walker (flute), Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Aquarium

2:46

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Characters with Long Ears

1:13

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

0:45

$1.10

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Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Ayla Sahin (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Characters with Long Ears

0:45

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The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods

1:24

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Olivia Colman (narrator), Mark Simpson (clarinet)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

2:13

$1.10

$1.40

$2.05

Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Mark Simpson (clarinet), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods

2:13

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Aviary

0:53

$1.10

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

1:10

$1.10

$1.40

$2.05

Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Adam Walker (flute), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Toby Hughes (double bass), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Aviary

1:10

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Pianists (or Who Sings Best in the Bath)

1:11

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator), Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

1:37

$1.10

$1.40

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Toby Hughes (double bass), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Pianists

1:37

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Fossils (or Doing the Brontosaurus)

1:02

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

1:18

$1.10

$1.40

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Mark Simpson (clarinet), Adrian Spillett (xylophone), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Toby Hughes (double bass), Timothy Ridout (viola), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Ayla Sahin (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Fossils

1:18

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The Swan

1:12

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Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

2:30

$1.10

$1.40

$2.05

Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

The Swan

2:30

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Finale

0:48

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator), Olivia Colman (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux

1:57

$1.10

$1.40

$2.05

Adam Walker (piccolo), Mark Simpson (clarinet), Adrian Spillett (xylophone), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Toby Hughes (double bass), Alasdair Malloy (glass harmonica), Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano), Timothy Ridout (viola), Ayla Sahin (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Finale

1:57

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Excerpt, Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a

1:53

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Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Eduard Langer (work arranger)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (Arr. Langer)

1:53

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Grandpa Christmas: Every Year at Christmas...

1:21

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Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98

0:44

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (cello)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Maypole Dance

0:44

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Grandpa Christmas: To My Little Granddaughter Mia…

1:11

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98

0:36

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Aminata Kanneh-Mason (violin)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Mosquito Dance

0:36

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Grandpa Christmas: I Sat There Watching You...

1:07

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Grieg: Lyric Pieces III (6), Op. 43

1:26

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Konya Kanneh-Mason (piano)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

4. Little Bird

1:26

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Grandpa Christmas: Just to See You Digging There...

1:08

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Rimsky Korsakov: The Flight of the Bumble-Bee (Arr. Rachmaninov)

1:08

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Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Sergey Rachmaninov (work arranger)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Grandpa Christmas: If I Have Learnt One Thing...

2:26

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Castelnuovo-Tedesco: Sea Murmurs

1:49

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Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Jascha Heifetz (work arranger)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Grandpa Christmas: I Wish for You a World Where the Elephant and the Lion...

1:22

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Michael Morpurgo (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Excerpt, Bartók: 44 Duos for Two Violins, BB 104, Sz. 98

0:42

$1.10

$1.40

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (cello)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Maypole Dance

0:42

$1.10

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Grandpa Christmas: When the Reading Is Over...

0:29

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Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (narrator)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Whitacre: The Seal Lullaby (Arr. Parkin)

3:38

$1.10

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Aminata Kanneh-Mason (violin), Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (cello), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Konya Kanneh-Mason (violin), Simon Parkin (work arranger)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

Marley: Redemption Song (Arr. Kanneh-Mason)

3:53

$1.10

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Sheku Kanneh-Mason (cello), Isata Kanneh-Mason (piano), Aminata Kanneh-Mason (violin), Mariatu Kanneh-Mason (cello), Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (piano), Braimah Kanneh-Mason (violin), Konya Kanneh-Mason (violin), The Kanneh-Masons (work arranger)
Recorded: 2020-08-04
Recording Venue: Abbey Road, Studio 2, London

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Recording of the Week, Carnival of the Animals from the Kanneh-Masons

20th November 2020

The seven siblings bring Saint-Saëns’s menagerie to teeming life, with Michael Morpurgo delivering his own new narration with avuncular charm.

Decca Classics announces the release of Carnival, a very special collaboration between Academy Award-winning actor Olivia Colman, children’s author Michael Morpurgo and the seven “extraordinarily talented” (Classic FM) Kanneh-Mason siblings – Isata, Braimah, Sheku, Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu. The brand-new Kanneh-Mason album, their first as a family, will be released on 6th November 2020.

Recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios, the release includes new poems written by War Horse author Morpurgo to accompany French composer Saint-Saëns’ beloved musical suite ‘Carnival of the Animals’. The poems are read by the author himself, joined by The Favourite actor Colman, and guest musicians complete the ensemble for the suite.

On working with the Kanneh-Masons, Morpurgo says, “These young people are remarkable, not because they are young, not because they are the seven siblings from one family, but simply because they make magnificent music together, and it is evident they love doing it. Hear them and you know it. See them and you know it.”

Along with Colman’s readings interposing the humorous suite ‘Carnival of the Animals’, which represents different animals through descriptive musical motifs, the recording features Morpurgo’s heart-warming Grandpa Christmas story, set to music for the first time with classic tracks including ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’, ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ and ‘Sea Murmurs’.

Morpurgo reads the role of Grandpa, with the youngest Kanneh-Mason, Mariatu, reading his granddaughter. The album includes a new arrangement of Eric Whitacre’s ‘The Seal Lullaby’ featuring all seven siblings, aged between 11-24. It is also the debut recording for youngest sisters Konya, Jeneba, Aminata and Mariatu.

Also featuring on the album is the Kanneh-Masons’ own arrangement of Bob Marley’s iconic hit ‘Redemption Song’, marking 40 years since its release in 1980 – fewer than five years before the singer’s death.

The stunning artwork for Carnival has been specially commissioned from children’s illustrator Emma Chichester Clark, who has created a colourful storybook world featuring vibrant birds, friendly kangaroos, curious elephants and all seven of the Kanneh-Mason siblings – depicted, of course, with their instruments.

Reviews

Christmas 2020

Like all good children’s literature, these lighthearted ponderings belie serious ideas...The Kanneh-Masons are superb, applying a light touch that comes from serious musicianship. Pianist Isata jumps and hops along the keyboard in ‘Kangaroo’ and, joined by Konya, glories in the scalic ‘Pianists’.

December 2020

Morpurgo knows his audience too well to patronise them; his animals are wry, self-assertive, remarkably educated...the Kanneh-Masons (plus some distinguished friends) play Saint-Saëns’s jeu d’esprit with a sensitivity that might verge on the wistful if it wasn’t balanced by such evident fantasy and joy. Isata, on piano, is the most striking presence...Sheku plays ‘The Swan’ with eloquent poise.

20th November 2020

The reduced forces here really do give us nature red in tooth and claw, though there’s luminous beauty aplenty too - particularly from pianist Isata and cellist Sheku, whose serene Swan has all the easy poise and grace we’ve come to expect from the pair’s solo recordings...Morpurgo’s beautifully-paced delivery of the lion’s share (literally and figuratively) of his own verses has a gentle, David Attenborough-ish charm.

Carnival (Standard version)

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Recording of the Week, Carnival of the Animals from the Kanneh-Masons