In its most basic form, this piece requires level 4 players (parts 1b, 2b, and 3a). There are parts for upper level players as well (1a and 2a). The ideal performance will include players on all parts. Level 3a plays the original melody. This part is essential. Part 3b doubles the melody an octave higher. This part is optional.
The accompaniment maintains steady eighth-note triplets. The melody presents a persistent hemiola in duple meter. Make sure that students understand this effect by practicing both subdivisions with the whole group before combining the two rhythms. There are a few instances in “Tortoises” that sound like jarringly wrong notes. Saint-Saëns included these notes for comic effect. Accent the notes.
“Tortoises” comes from a 14 movement collection entitled “Carnival of the Animals.” It was originally scored for a variety of mixed instruments. In 1949 the American poet Ogden Nash wrote a series of verses to precede the performance of each movement. Collaborate with a Drama or English teacher to select a student to read the corresponding verse before your performance (included below). You may build a suite by combining this piece with the any of the other 5 movements from “Carnival of the Animals” in the guitarcurriculum.com music library.
Tortoises
Come crown my brow with leaves of myrtle,
I know the tortoise is a turtle,
Come carve my name in stone immortal,
I know the turtoise is a tortle.
I know to my profound despair,
I bet on one to beat a hare.
I also know I'm now a pauper,
Because of its tortley, turtley, torper.