The Carnival of the Animals and xylophone. From the beginning, Saint-Saëns regarded the work as a piece of fun. On 9 February 1886 he wrote to his publishers Durand in Paris that he was composing a work for the coming Shrove Tuesday, and confessing that he knew he should be working on his Third Symphony, but that this work was "such fun" (). He had apparently intended to write the work for his students at the École Niedermeyer, but it was first performed at a private concert given by the cellist Charles Lebouc on Shrove Tuesday, 9 March 1886. A second (private) performance was given
Carnival of Souls Times" saw the 1989 screening at the Fantasy Festival and wrote: "What has earned "Carnival of Souls" its reputation is the director's knack for building a mood of fatalistic angst." "TV Guide" awarded "Carnival of Souls" a score of three stars out of four. Praising the film's atmosphere, acting, and eerie score, calling it, "A chilling ghost story with artistic pretensions." "Film Reel.com" gave "Carnival of Souls" a positive review, praising the film's atmosphere, slow building tension, and disturbing visuals. Wes R. from "Oh the Horror!" praised the film stating, ""Carnival of Souls" is a film every horror fan must