2.La Chanson du bébé

It's almost too tempting to draw comparisons between Mozart and Rossini.

Both were immensely prolific, had impish senses of humor, and were possibly

manic-depressive. Both also demonstrate that frequent references to

bodily functions in music are not a 20th century phenomenon.

This song, "The Baby's Song, " starts with sparkling chords that almost seem

to wander at random across the keyboard, and then the voice begins in a

kind of sing-song. "Mommy, your big baby is calling you, he has a booboo.

You say that I'm good when I go sleepy-bye. I want jam, it's yummy. The

berries are fresh, give me some, I want some, mommy. Achoo! Achoo!

Daddy, Mommy, poo-poo!" The song continues in this vein, though

the second verse is clearly written to tease particular singers, when

the baby declares (in a most adult fashion) that Mommy's voice is so

sweet that it would put Schneider and Theresa (famous singers) to shame.

Each verse ends with the triumphant "Poo-poo!" ringing out like any operatic

high note might, and on the final verse the piano ends with a dramatic,

thunderous conclusion.

© All Music Guide