What does a cat, a composer, and classical music have in common? The cat, Clyde Big Paws, was the inspiration for a collection of classical sounds that composer Tim Thompson turned into a CD collection of wonderfully pleasing arrangements called “Symphonia Felina.”
The cat actually listened to Thompson’s computer-controlled synthesizer performances and arrangements and commented on them – with body language.
“I noticed that my cat, Clyde, had positive reactions to some musical tones and negative reactions to others. And sometimes just plain indifference. I got the idea to use only the sounds and arrangements that he reacted positively to – to see what I would come up with,” Thompson said.
Symphonia Felina is a lovely collection of classical sounds that really DO please the ear, stir the senses and will even amuse your cat. I know because I have it playing as I write this. It’s the type of music that’s soothing; the kind you want to curl up in a comfy chair and read a book to; or have playing while entertaining company. It’s just subtle enough to keep you listening, but not intrusive enough to interrupt dinner or cocktail conversation.
Dubbing it “Clyde-inspired music,” Thompson said friends called the mix, “catnip for the human ear.”
Thompson joked that at first at it, saying, “since the concept was such a radical departure from anything heard before, I was a little concerned. I claimed the cat was the composer in the beginning in case people didn’t like the music – I figured I could always blame the cat.”Thompson started playing classical piano at the age of 2 and his love of music has just continued to grow. He has performed in the Renaissance Ensembles, playing the recorder, and Madrigal groups. Not only does he compose music but also he builds instruments as well. He has been both an apprentice and master pipe organ builder in the Boston area and also builds clavichords, harpsichords and restores 19th century reed and pipe organs.
Sadly, Clyde has gone over the Rainbow Bridge, but his feline-inspired music lives on as part of Thompson’s philosophy, “Keeping the Memory Alive.”
Please go to clydesight.com for more information or to order the CD. It is available only on-line.
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