The inhabitants of the animal kingdom have long been a subject of fascination for visual artists and a source of inspiration for composers as well.

Whether voicing their affection and awe, or mocking the human animal, composers have paid tribute to our furry and feathered friends by producing masterpieces of invention, musical mimicry and wit.

Peacocks, ducks, dromedaries, pigs, butterflies, carp, cicadas and owls are just some of the creatures in the menagerie assembled for this recording, featuring the mischievous voice of Sophie Karthäuser deftly accompanied by Eugene Asti.

• Bizet: La Coccinelle
• Chabrier: Ballade des gros dindons
• Chabrier: Les Cigales
• Chabrier: Pastorale des cochons roses
• Chabrier: Villanelle des petits canards
• Chausson: Le Colibri, Op. 2 No. 7 (de Lisle)
• Debussy: Jimbo's Lullaby (from Children's Corner)
• Debussy: The Little Shepherd (from Children's Corner)
• Fauré: Le papillon et la fleur, Op. 1 No. 1
• Hahn, R: Le rossignol des lilas
• Ibert: La Meneuse de tortues d'or (from Histoires)
• Ibert: Le petit âne blanc (from Histoires)
• Lalo: La Chanson de l'alouette
• Offenbach: Six Fables de La Fontaine: Le Corbeau et le Renard
• Poulenc: La souris
• Poulenc: Le Bestiaire ou Cortege d'Orphee
• Poulenc: Le serpent (for Le Bestiaire)
• Ravel: Le grillon (No. 2 from Histoires naturelles)
• Ravel: Le paon (No. 1 from Histoires naturelles)
• Rossini: Duetto buffo di due gatti (Comic Duet for Two Cats)
• Satie: Trois Melodies
• Severac: Les Hiboux
• Viardot-Garcia: L'oiselet