It's called 'Aquarium' from Saint-Saens 'Carnival of the Animals' although you may feel you recognise it better as the music from the introduction of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'. Although Alan Menken's Prologue to beauty and the beast is very similar (and no doubt based upon this piece) they aren't actually the same (though it is also an exquisitely beautifully written piece).
Interestingly, Saint-Saens apparently felt the piece was 'too frivolous' and would not allow it to be performed in his lifetime, except for to a few close friends, as he was worried it may damage his reputation as a serious composer!
Fortunately for us, he did make provisions for it to be published after his death - otherwise we would never have heard it. It would have been a terrible waste as it is such a sublimely delicate and engaging piece of music.
Fortunately for us, he did make provisions for it to be published after his death - otherwise we would never have heard it. It would have been a terrible waste as it is such a sublimely delicate and engaging piece of music.
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