Babar the Elephant
Music
Leading Scottish pianist and French music specialist, Roy Howat and well-known Adelaide actor Holly Myers delighted an audience of young children, parents and grandparents. The story goes; a young elephant is chased by hunters after killing his mother, he wanders out of the jungle into a big city, he is taken in by a little old lady who buys him a new suit, he buys a car, meets a girl and returns to the jungle to get married and become the new King ending in a fanciful and rousing ceremony. Babar the Elephant was a beloved French children’s character created by Jean de Brunhoff and his wife Cecile in 1931.
Each turn in the story was eloquently and animatedly told by Ms Myers, and matched beautifully by the expressive and assured playing of Mr Howat. The opening theme on the piano made me uneasy momentarily until the dissonant and doleful tones from the Steinway gradually gave way to the more lyrical, romantic and quirky phrases I was expecting. Myers paced the words masterfully despite the potential for young toddlers losing interest in the more sophisticated themes. Those a little older by a few years however were transfixed by her engaging delivery; gently inviting them into her story with a wink and a smile.
Francis Poulenc’s music, written for the character in 1940 delivered all; rich chordal phrases, quirky clipped tunes and mischievous and playful melodies to breathe life to the text, although once or twice I was diverted by a musical expression more suggestive of a Parisian music hall! Howat’s renowned skill and expertise in this music is palpable and he delighted us while effortlessly colouring the shifting moods in the music and story.
We were soon approaching the end of the story and its effects on the audience were numerous; those older ones at the front were still transfixed; legs crossed, some little ones at the back had grown fidgety and a small boy was eased away in a peaceful slumber while many of the adults were poised for more.
Just then, the highpoint of the story recaptured the attentions that waned. The story took a turn as Babar returned home with his girl and his new car. The King had eaten a mushroom that was bad! Howat lead us down a sombre funereal dirge ending with a thud. The King dies! Hang on; this is a kid’s story isn’t it? But all is well, of course. The oldest and wisest elephant, Cornelius says, “Babar has returned from the big city and learned much; why not make him the King?” A triumphant march heralds a wedding and a coronation. Babar is the King.
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In the end, this victorious fiction won us all over; a fundraising concert for the Adelaide Youth Orchestras, I just hope this modest gathering was enough to raise useful funds to support their worthy tutorial programs.
Babar the Elephant was a Family Fundraiser Concert for the Adelaide Youth Orchestras. You can support AdYO here.
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