ANIMALS AND MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18333, 24 February 1923, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANIMALS AND MUSIC.

HARE LIKES AN ANTHEM.

A musical experiment that is unique has been conducted recently in France. It was resolved to institute concerts for animals for the purpose of observing the effects of musio upon them.

The results of the observations established the fact that disconnected tone on i stringed instruments created no effect - upon horses beyond causing some of the animals to manifest signs of impatience, but when a melody was played the I horses turned towards the players, I pricked up their ears, and showed plainly the pleasure they experienced. An orchestral concert was given before the elephants in the Jardin des Piantes. The animals became excited and impatient when passionate music was played, but calm when a sustained, melodious and flowing style was adopted. Dogs were found to be partial to the various instruments according to breed, but the dog that will show affection or even respect for the bagpipes is not yet born. Dogs have marked musical likes and dislikes. Some have a liking for, others aversion to the piano, violin, and flute, brut all become enraged when tunes were played at a very rapid rate. It was found also that dogs had frequently their favourite composers, and would prefer Handel to Beethoven, Mozart to Mendelssohn, Brahms to Schumann, Moschelea to Chopin, but none was discovered to show an appreciation for Wagner. The late Rev. R. Eastcote, of Exeter, once told the story of five choristers who, one Sunday evening, were walking along the banks of the Mersey, in Cheshire. After a time they sat down on the grass and began to sing an anthem. A hare passing with great swiftness toward the place where they were sitting stopped at about twenty yards distance from them. She appeared to be highly delighted with the music, and as soon as the singing ceased returned slowly to the wood. When she had nearly reached the end of the field the choristers began to sing again. The hare stopped, turned round and came swiftly to the same place and remained listening in seeming rapture and delight until the singing ceased, when she returner! to the woods.