The music of the ballet echoes circus music from the turn of the 20th century.  The presence of animals in the circus of the time results in many “animal act” numbers. (Snakes, however, were probably never featured under the Big Top!) The desire of the composer to evoke this era is achieved through the immediacy of accessible, tuneful melodies, and brilliant primary colours in the orchestration. The circus of this time was meant as a family outing, but, in this story, there are also dark colours.  However, the over all mood is upbeat, propelled by the driving rhythms needed to support the energy required for dance.

These clips are MP3 audio files, and are between 30 and 40 seconds each. They are not complete tracks and meant to provide an excellent way to audition the disc before purchasing it and/or renting the score.

1. Come to The Big Top Today (1:58). A bittersweet lyrical theme evocative of the old time circus appears in many variations throughout the ballet.    

2. The Family (3:07). The sound of steel pegs being driven into the ground to hold the ropes of the mighty Big Top as it is lifted skyward is followed by the family discussing the arrival of the circus. These themes are woven through the fabric of the ensuing numbers including the jaunty promenade music as the family strolls along together.     (clip 1)    (clip 2)

3. Off To The Circus (One Man Band (2:56). A circus march announcing the arrival of the circus played by a one man band expands to full orchestra, carrying us off to the circus where we encounter the main theme (Come to The Big Top Today) as a waltz, first in the bass instruments, then in the brass and strings.
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    (clip 2)

4. Los Pajaros (The Aerialists!) (3:54). After a triumphant fanfare, music for the aerialists continues in a waltz vein as it accompanies the trapeze artists swinging high above the audience.    

5. The Equestrians! (3:43). Horses high stepping to trumpet fanfares lead to a middle section of ragtime as the horses lift their legs in the grand dressage manner.    (clip 1)    (clip 2)

6. The Pranksters / Lion (Pas de deux) (3:30). Mystery creeps into the music, which transforms into the fearful pulsating music of the lion and its ferocious growl.    

7. The Gypsies (2:59) Camp followers of the circus dance in a dark Latin mood behind the big tent.    

8. Apache (Pas de deux) (2:37). A ritual dance of two lovers locked in a violent passionate romance; which the dance owes its genesis to the world of Paris cabaret.    

9. Make Up Mime (Clown Pas de deux) (3:01). This tender poignant melody features strings, woodwinds, and harp in an otherwise brassy circus act environment.    

10. The Great Ravi! (The Snakes) (3:15). Snake charming music writhes and whirls through a sinuous melody for oboe, clarinet, and flute accompanied by strings, oriental percussion, and drums.    

11. The Joeys! (The Clowns!) (3:00). A showcase for percussion, as clowns tumble and zoom about in every direction, accompanied by the zany honks of horns and birdcalls. A middle section features a tuba solo with the main theme of the circus (Come to The Big Top Today) as a waltz.    

12. Madame Fifi & Her Amazing Canine Friends! (The Poodles) (3:06). A polite gavotte-like tune in the strings and flutes transforms to the bravura of a Cancan. If you listen closely you will also hear the tiny cries of the poodles in the woodwinds and horns complaining about their work as circus animals.    

13. Jungle Jeopardy! (The Big Cats) (3:16). The thunder of jungle drums roars out the heart pounding jeopardy faced by the Big Cat trainer. The crack of his whip is heard throughout as he asserts his authority over the kings and queens of the jungle.    

14. Princess Natya and Her Scimitars! (The Elephants) (3:52). Princes Natya appears riding at the head of a phalanx of elephants accompanied by a troop of sword wielding Cossacks. The elephant music that we hear in the glissando of the French horns becomes the wild dance of the saber- bearing warriors.     (clip 1)     (clip 2)

15. Parade Of The Acts! (Finale) The show is over and we hear the recapitulation of the circus march and an interlude referring back to the Make-up Mime. This lasts only for a moment before the circus performers fly from the tent taking their magic with them.

16. Bows! (The Big Top) (1:29). One last burst of clowning music, then a final restatement of the theme Come to The Big Top Today ends the ballet in a blaze of glory.