Joseph Horovitz

Composer and conductor

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Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo

Thematic Cat. #:

JH.A2

Text:

Michael Flanders

Language:

English

Date of composition:

1970

First performance:

19 January 1970

Duration:

23’

Chorus:

Unison voices or two-part voices; also version for SATB (1973).

Instrumentation:

Piano with optional drums and DB.

Manuscript:

Royal College of Music Library, MS 22101

Publisher:

Novello & Co Ltd., 1970

Availability:

Vocal score, bass, and drum parts for sale from Novello.

Notes:

See also version for chamber orchestra (JH.S3) commissioned for Granada TV film production.

This work received the 1976 PRS Ivor Novello Award for the best British work for children.

Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo was written and composed towards the end of 1970. It is the first collaboration of Flanders and Horovitz although they had known each other for many years. The work is a lighthearted oratorio on the old Noah subject and both authors insist that it is not to be taken as a contribution to ‘pop-religion’. It has been performed in many different versions and adaptations. Although primarily intended to be sung in schools, in unison or two parts, another version has been prepared by the composer for one soloist, with a large chorus; the usual accompaniment for jazz trio has been retained, and the soloist is the voice of God, the narrator and several other characters as well. The musical style of the cantata is unashamedly eclectic and exploits all well-known types of popular music to tell this ever-green story.