This is a soundtrack to one of the wildlife films directed by Frederic Rossif. A majority of us Vangelis fans will never remember L'Apocalypse des Animaux for the pictures but more for the music. In 1973, synthesizers were beginning to emerge into popular use. You still had to undergo the tedious process of programming it. For Vangelis, he just plays with the instruments he has and the rest speak for itself. I think what Vangelis fans like about it is that it has a nice blend of acoustical and electronic instruments and it sounds simple. It is gorgeous and fantastic.

[1] APOCALYPSE DES ANIMAUX-GENERIQUE (Apocalypse of the Animals-Main Title)
Although it is brief (only a minute and a half), I enjoy it. I think it is because of the use of instruments and the simplicity of it. Vangelis didn't have to do a more symphonic title like in Chariots of Fire or . He made it simple and easy to digest... which what main title music should do somewhat. Vangelis, in his later years, stressed the importance of music for film, that it should set the mood and the feel of the movie. I definitely agree. It also sounds like wildlife film music too!

[2] LA PETITE FILLE DE LA MER (The Little Girl of the Sea)
This one is among the several recognizable Vangelis songs. This song is very repetitive but doesn't build up or increase in volume. The dynamics throughout the whole song remain quiet. The same is true throughout the whole album. It is probably a favorite because it is soothing and can reveal the tranquillity of nature. An excellent song to wake up when camping out or living in a cabin near the mountains. (I imagine myself waking up to it while looking at the Grand Tetons in Wyoming). There is a very nice blend of electronic sounds and the guitar. Excellent work.

[3] LE SINGE BLEU (The Blue Ape)
It also has that nice blend of acoustics and electronics. This time however, it is the trumpet doing some of the melody. It seems that Vangelis is excersizing the idea of a chorus or an orchestra. The composer of a symphony usually tries to make an "argument" between orchestra sections with the melody (like the strings have the melody, then the brass steals it, then it's the woodwinds turn, and so on). There are times when the electronics shine and the trumpet is dominant. Some have pointed out that it reminds them of the movement of the blue ape itself. Vangelis fans have been drawn into that trumpet part. Of course, I'm drawn to any cello sounds.

[4] LA MORT DU LOUP (The Death by the Wolf)
The guitar, the light synthesizer backgrounds gives the feeling of emptiness, helplessness and very cold. One can visualize death taking place, in the middle of a forest, under a full moon, the freezing temperature... it is all too unbearable. It is very dark, moody and once can see the coldness of death or the dark mood of an El Greco painting. This piece can also go straight to your stomach, if you let it.

[5] L'OURS MUSICIEN (The Musical Bear)
It is very brief and very weird. One can see the slow moving and grace of a bear (like how Camille Saint-Saëns did with "The Elephant" in Le Carnaval des Animaux). You can hear the quality of synthesizer sounds back in 1973 also. For that time (and especially for this song), Vangelis did a very good job.

[6] CREATION DU MONDE (Creation of the World)
Carl Sagan (1934-1996) would use this track for several episodes of the PBS documentary, Cosmos. Despite the fact that it is ten minutes and the melody is very simple and repetitive, it (to me) seems to open my eyes to vastness of the universe and the sense of wonder. Of course, this is mostly sounding like something Carl Sagan would say. Maybe that is why he chose to use it a lot. It is something that can be played while looking at the stars or any other stellar phenomena.

[7] LA MER RECOMMENCEE (The Recommencing Sea)
This is a very soothing and relaxing track. I can imagine myself sitting down on a lonely beach. The sky is gray like after a storm and the waves are still doing the eternal waltz with the Moon and Sun. The temperature is just right and I feel a sense of tranquillity and inner peace. Then, I find myself in the ocean and gazing at the wonder the ocean can behold. It seems that Vangelis knows of the need to be comforted and relaxed. He also knows of the power of the ocean which he will return to now and then.