Following a disastrous concert tour of Germany in 1885 -- 86, Saint - Saëns withdrew to a small Austrian village, where he composed The Carnival of the Animals in February 1886. It is scored for two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute (and piccolo), clarinet (C and B ♭), glass harmonica, and xylophone.
when was the carnival of the animals written
February 1886