“Say What? Laugh to classical music? Heaven forbid, not ME!”

That’s no doubt what far too many soberly dignified classical music fans might well say upon learning about this very different new compilation of humour in classical music from Delos. But, just stop and think: Weren’t your favourite classical “gods” also human beings? And isn’t a sense of humour an almost universal component of human nature? How many of you have found yourselves resisting the urge to smile, snicker, or “LOL” to certain passages of great music, simply because you took it (and its creators) entirely too seriously?

The simple truth is, many of the greatest composers who ever lived had functional funnybones, and LOVED musical jokes and other classical chicanery. Realizing this, we at Delos have combed through our extensive back catalogue to come up with prime examples of music that will get you to grinning, giggling or even guffawing to the art of top classical masters!

And we mean standouts like Vieuxtemps, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich, Khachaturian, Francaix, Lang, and others. You can count on top-notch performances from artists like Maestro Constantine Orbelian and his Moscow Chamber Orchestra, tenor John Aler, the Italian Saxophone Quartet, and tenor Donald George (with pianist Lucy Mauro).

They say that laughter is the best medicine. So here’s a collection that you can file in your musical 'medicine cabinet'. Then – whenever life gets you down – let Delos help you feel better!

Contents:
Henri Vieuxtemps:
- Souvenir d’Amerique, Variations on Yankee Doodle, Op.17

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov:
- Tale of Tsar Saltan, Op.57: Flight of the Bumble Bee

Wolseley Charles:
- The Green-Eyed Dragon

Dmitri Shostakovich:
- Ballet Suite No.1: VI. Galop

Dmitri Shostakovich:
- The Golden Age Suite, Op.22a: III. Polka

Margaret Ruthven Lang:
Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures
- There Was An Old Man In A Tree
- There Was An Old Person of Cassel
- There was An Old Person Of Jodd
- There Was An Old Man Of Dumbree
- There Was An Old Lady Of France

Dmitri Shostakovich:
- Ballet Suite No. 3: III. Dance

Dmitri Shostakovich:
- Ballet Suite No.1: V. Waltz

Aram Khachaturian:
- Masquerade Suite: V. Galop

Jean Francaix:
- Petit Quatuor pour saxophones: III. Serenade Comique

Total Time: 33 minutes