The Sound of Music: The Classics - Swan Lake

Today, I was surprised to see some birds actually swimming in the bay. They looked like geese. Usually, it's egrets, herons, and gulls that patrol the bay. Geese are rare, as they've been hunted down to extirpation (local extinction) and driven from the area by loss of habitat.

Thankfully, there is a wonderful national wildlife sanctuary less than an hour's drive north of the city. It is a much needed safe and thriving refuge area for endangered and migrant species. It would provide these geese a safe haven. I'm not sure if they're lost or if this is a stop on their journey, but I'm very grateful that the wildlife sanctuary exists for these birds; and so many other wild species, like turtles; bobcats; egrets; herons; spoonbills; ibises; gators; and javelinas (collared peccaries, piglike critters) live and thrive in the refuge, safe from being hunted or threatened by humans.

The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the most important wintering grounds for the endangered whooping crane. There are approximately 600 whooping cranes left in the world. Before European arrival, an estimated 10,000 whooping cranes thrived across North America. By 1938, only 15 adults were left. Of the 600 or so current population--a result of dedicated conservation efforts--431 were counted in 2017 at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This is their most important wintering grounds.

In summer, the whooping cranes migrate to breed and nest and raise their young in only two established places: Wood Buffalo National Park in Alberta and the Northwest Territories in Canada--the second largest national park in the world, bigger than Switzerland! And the newly established (2001) summer nesting grounds at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin, USA.

The reintroduced Wisconsin population has been raised and trained to winter in Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, USA. It is the first successful population of whooping cranes to establish themselves and fly in these eastern parts in over a century! There were over a 100 birds counted in 2010 who made the successful migration.

In honor of all those hardworking, wise, passionate, and compassionate conservationists striving to protect and restore wildlife, I present Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

When I first started the Sound of Music series, it was an attempt to better understand and learn more about Classical Music. I mostly used Classical music as a great motivation to clean the place and do household chores. Classical music puts me in the cleaning mood.

Until I sat down and actually went through the classical music I had on hand, I was very surprised at just how much classical music was in my collection. Even more astonishing, I was familiar with many of them, even though I may not have known the exact song name or artist. And most of my familiarity comes from watching cartoons, tv and radio ads, and soundtracks of tv shows and movies. A few of these classical music pieces I've actually seen and heard performed live.

I'm sure you'll be surprised to at just how familiar some of these tunes are. Tchaikovsky has continually surprised me with just how much of his works I am familiar with, even before I knew their proper name or who created them. I love the songs I have from his Sleeping Beauty, or The Nutcracker, and even Swan Lake. And just so you know, while I enjoy the music, I have never, ever seen a full production of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, nor The Nutcracker! But I plan to see them when the opportunity arises.

One caveat, though. I'm not seeing any ballet or play or production with a tragic ending. The world is depressing enough as it is. If I'm going to see a production or performance, it's because I want to be entertained, to escape, to find some joy, even for a little while.

I don't know the story of Swan Lake. I have no idea about the characters or plot. And I don't want to know until I see a performance myself. So while I don't want any spoilers, I would like to know beforehand if the production is going to be tragic; because then I can skip it in favor of something more uplifting. But until I see a full, professional production or performance, I will settle for enjoying the music. And I hope you enjoy the music as well.

As always, please let me know if the clips won't load or play so that I can fix them. You can also click on the song name to open and play the song on your own media player or download the piece to listen to whenever you want.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Swan Lake:

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act I Waltz in A Major



I've danced to the piece and heard it many times before at formal functions and special events. It's a wonderful song to dance to.


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act II Swan Theme



This is a very evocative and haunting piece. I love the stirring sounds and mesmerizing beat. Ethereal. Beautiful. Empyreal.


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act II Dance of the Little Swans



This piece makes me smile. Sassy! Frivolous! Fun!


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act II Second Dance of the Queen of the Swans



A fine, intriguing piece. It also makes me think of Le Cygne (The Swan) from The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns.


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act III Danse Hongroise Czardas



A very upbeat and dramatic piece. I'm noticing a lot of classical pieces with Hungarian in the title seem very fast and sweeping and grand.


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act III Danse Espagnole



The use of castanets and the carnival tempo of this song is similar to the Mother Ginger and Clowns Dance from The Nutcracker. It's a festive sound!


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act III Danse Napolitaine



Danse Napolitaine carries the same spirit as Danse Espagnole. I wonder if the seemingly Latin/Spanish flavor comes from the fact that Spain ruled over Naples and parts of the Italian states for a while before the establishment of a united Italy.


Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Act III Mazurka




And we close with a vibrant, lively, and vivacious piece. There are many other songs from Swan Lake, but I hope you enjoyed the few choice selections I've presented here.

If you've seen Swan Lake, tell me your experience and whether it was worth it. What pieces do you like? And what's the best way to enjoy a Swan Lake performance? And if you have any similar musical gems to recommend, then please share them with me. I appreciate and love finding great music.

And to all you dedicated, amazing conservationists, thank you very much for your efforts. You save our wildlife and you inspire me to volunteer and take action to protect, nurture, and cherish our natural resources and unique wildlife. Our world is so much better and more beautiful because of your efforts. Thank you for saving our planet for us and for future generations.


Related Links
The Sound of Music 1: The Classics - Ephemeral
The Sound of Music 2: The Classics - Ethereal
The Sound of Music: Classics - The Nutcracker
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 1
The Sound of Music: Holidays Classics Vol 2
The Sound of Music 3: The Classics - Ebullient
The Sound of Music: Classics - Requiem
The Sound of Music: Classics - Opera Part 1