Three orchestra dogs become star soloists in a symphony in Denmark

On the stage of the Copenhagen Conservatory, Torben Petersen gestures to encourage Sophus, his eight-year-old spaniel, to give voice. Barking on command to the rhythm of an orchestra, such is the thorny task accomplished on Sunday evening by this very placid beast and two companions with the Danish Chamber Orchestra during a unique performance in Copenhagen. Chosen in the spring during an unusual audition for their barking talents, the three dogs conscientiously rehearsed with their masters, never stingy with treats, so that their tone matched the music of the “Hunting Symphony”.

“The symphony is in three movements and, in the last part, we will hear the hunt begin and we will have gunshots then the dogs will start barking,” the director of the symphony explained to AFP during a rehearsal. orchestra, Andreas Vetö.

A little-known work by Leopold Mozart, the father of Wolfgang Amadeus, the symphony is very rarely played with dogs on stage, orchestras using recorded sounds for ease. For the Danish orchestra, there is no question of using it. “Our conductor Adam Fischer had wanted for several years to perform exactly this piece in order to be able to integrate this element of dog participation”, underlined Mr. Vetö who discovered the work on this occasion.

In 2014, the Pittsburgh Orchestra (United States) played the symphony in concert with dogs on stage. During the rehearsal, the canines listen without flinching to the first movements of the work before appearing in front of the orchestra to participate, led by their masters. “If I had to be there alone, I think I would be nervous, but all the attention is on her, she's the star,” smiles Helle Lauvring, the owner of Cookie, a four-year-old Spanish water dog. years. “I’m right behind her with all the treats,” adds this 60-year-old communicator and classical music lover, snapping her fingers to make her dog bark on command.