Famous tunes in a music box
With a music box, the tune matters a great deal. That is why it is worth knowing what each one plays before you choose.
Ange Lapin: Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart
Ange Lapin is French for 'angel rabbit'. The box plays Mozart's serenade Eine kleine Nachtmusik, which he finished in Vienna in August 1787. The title means 'a little night music'. The piece was not printed until around 1827, decades after his death, and its bright opening bars are now among the best-known in classical music. Many children recognise them long before they know the name of the composer.
Crocodile: Beautiful Dreamer
Beautiful Dreamer is a song by the American songwriter Stephen Foster, first published in 1864, shortly after his death. It is a serenade: the singer softly calls to someone who is asleep. Its slow, swaying melody makes it a natural fit for a music box. On this box the gentle song belongs to a crocodile, and many children like the contrast.
How to choose a music box
- By the tune: Mozart for one of the best-known pieces of classical music; Beautiful Dreamer for a soft, slow song.
- By the character: Ange Lapin or the crocodile.
A music box like these makes a lovely present for a child who loves music, whether for a birthday or for Christmas.
Figures that move with the music
On the Ange Lapin and crocodile boxes the figures sit on top and spin while the tune plays. Watching them go round is half the fun. A music box also brings a quiet moment into the day: one tune, a few turning figures, and time to sit and listen.
Questions about music boxes
What is the difference between a music box and a musical box?
There is none. Both names are used in Britain for the same thing, a small box that plays a tune.
Which tune does each of these music boxes play?
The Ange Lapin box plays Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik. The crocodile box plays Beautiful Dreamer.
Do the figures move?
Yes. The figures sit on top of the box and turn round to the music.