Jack-in-the-Box is a lively, cross-century celebration of orchestral color and wit, gathering sparkling miniatures and character pieces by Fucik, Satie, Leroy Anderson, Haydn, Shostakovich, Confrey, Sousa, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Gottschalk, Alford, Prokofiev, Mozart, and Kabalevsky. Curated for pure listening pleasure, the program jumps playfully between eras and styles—military marches, salon charm, neoclassical whimsy, and cinematic flair—capturing the spirit of light classics that have delighted audiences for generations. Ideal for casual listeners and classical connoisseurs alike, this compilation showcases the enduring appeal of melody, rhythm, and orchestral storytelling in compact, memorable movements.

• Artist: Various Artists
• Format: Audio CD
• Release Type: Compilation
• Genre: Classical, Orchestral, Light Music
• Featuring: Works by Fucik, Satie, Anderson, Haydn, Shostakovich, Confrey, Sousa, Poulenc, Saint-Saëns, Gottschalk, Alford, Prokofiev, Mozart, Kabalevsky

• Country: International
Add Notes from the release if provided by Discogs

• Media: 1 x Audio CD
• Packaging Type: Jewel case

Assembled under the banner of Various Artists, this collection draws on composers whose careers span the 18th to the 20th centuries, each contributing defining pieces of the orchestral canon. Julius Fučík—often dubbed the “Bohemian Sousa”—crafted buoyant marches; Erik Satie introduced eccentric, minimalist charm; Leroy Anderson perfected the art of the orchestral encore; and Joseph Haydn laid foundational symphonic wit and form. Dmitri Shostakovich blended satire with modernist bite, Zez Confrey popularized novelty piano idioms, and John Philip Sousa’s rousing marches became a cultural staple. Francis Poulenc’s urbane neoclassicism, Camille Saint-Saëns’ lyrical craftsmanship, and Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s early American virtuosity broaden the panorama. Kenneth J. Alford added British military pageantry, while Sergei Prokofiev and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart exemplify classical brilliance and dramatic poise. Dmitry Kabalevsky’s spirited, approachable style rounds out a program designed to showcase the range, humor, and heart of orchestral music in accessible, sparkling selections.