Prepare to behold a feline maestro exploring some truly avant-garde piano textures.
OK: you’ve probably seen your fair share of cats playing the piano. And by 'playing', we mean casually meandering across the keys like they’re on a leisurely catwalk, vaguely puzzled by the peculiar sounds they’re unleashing.
But Nora? Nora is no ordinary keyboard cruiser.
She’s not here for casual noodling. She takes her seat—yes, properly—at the piano stool, and proceeds to perform with remarkable technique. First comes the right paw, then the left paw… and then, in a flourish worthy of a conservatoire grad, both paws in perfect synchrony.
We like the way Nora pauses (pawses?) every so often and directs an expectant gaze at the camera for the appropriate audience applause. A little later, she's able to turn her skills to a duet performance with a second, off-camera pianist. The key of C seems to hold a particular fascination for Nora.
Purrfect harmonies
Cats and classical music make quite good bedfellows, in fact. Our editor Charlotte Smith was lucky enough to catch on film the moment a cat wandered onstage at a Beethoven concert last year. And several composers have been noted cat lovers.
These include the great American composer Aaron Copland, was famously fond of cats. He shared his home with several feline companions throughout his life and often mentioned their calming presence. Photographs show him relaxing with cats on his lap, suggesting they were cherished muses during his quieter, more reflective composing moments.
Other feline enthusiasts included French composer Maurice Ravel. The creator of Bolero was the proud owner of several Siamese cats. He adored them so much that he would talk to them in a special, affectionate way. Some have even suggested that Ravel's love for cats influenced the delicate textures in his music.
Speaking of Ravel, French author Colette, who wrote the libretto for Ravel's 'L'enfant et les sortilèges', was another cat lover. Here she is posing with two feline friends.
Cat-loving composers
Elsewhere, Igor Stravinsky had a soft spot for cats, and felines frequently appear in photographs with the composer. The eccentric Erik Satie was fond of various forms of animals, including cats. Alban Berg was another cat enthusiast, often pictured with his pets. His letters occasionally mention his affection for them.
- 'You're nothing but an arse': why Erik Satie was sentenced to eight days in jail
- Six of the best: Satie works
Gioachino Rossini was a cat lover—and even (sort of) wrote music for them. His Duetto buffo di due gatti (Comic Duet for Two Cats) is likely a playful mash-up of his own melodies, but it’s delightfully bizarre enough to earn a spot among classical music’s quirkiest pieces.
And Claude Debussy adored his cat Minou and had a well-known affection for animals. His music, with its subtle textures and graceful lines, often feels as sleek and mysterious as a cat itself.
Need more cats and pianos? Be our guest... and 'bye for miaow.
