The phrase “the dog days of summer” has a surprising meaning;
it refers to the dog star Sirius that appears at that time of the year just before
dawn. Apropos of dogs, though, classical music can have a calming effect on
dogs. Here is a sampling.
Starting on a somber note – and one of Tomoko’s favorite
composers – Chopin’s Prelude in E minor uses a descending melody line
that can act as a way to move a dog to slumberland.
Another one of Tomoko’s favorite composers is Bach. His Air
on the G String, with its sustained notes, can soothe a savage beast.
While some movements, such as “Fossils,” of Saint-Saën’s Carnival
of the Animals might wake up a sleeping day, to let sleeping dogs lie, “The
Swan” movement can work well with its tone of gently rippling water.
Similarly, the “Lullaby” movement from Stravinsky’s 1945 Firebird
Suite can put a pooch to sleep – unlike the spritely “Scherzo Dance of the Princesses”
movement.
A more recent addition to the composer line-up is Ludovico
Einaudi, whose music can remind one of the classics. His piece L’Onde, which
was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel The Wave (hence the musical title) has a
softly flowing rhythm that may seem like a lullaby for your wagging pal.
These lovely pieces can also work on humans….
