A child prodigy that was later hailed by Liszt as “the greatest organist in the world,” Camille Saint-Saënsled a fascinating life filled to the brim with music. We’ll explore his life, compositions, and influence in this five-part series.
St-Saëns, Camille (1835-1921)
Playlist
Episode 1
Camille Saint-Saëns: Op. 6 Bagatelles (excerpts)
Hobson, piano
Arab 6570
2:10, :51, :59
Saint-Saëns: Symphony in A, I & III
ORTF National Orchestra/Martinon
EMI 62643
10:15
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 2, IV
ORTF National Orchestra/Martinon
EMI 62643
7:30
Saint-Saëns: Quintet for Piano and Strings, Op. 14, III
Ensemble Musique Oblique
HM 901471
5:06
Schubert: “Gretchen am Spinnrade” D. 118 (excerpt)
Richard Goode, piano; Dawn Upshaw, soprano
Nonesuch 79317
:15
Saint-Saëns: Le Rouet d’Omphale, Op. 31
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Munch
RCA 78978
7:35
Saint-Saëns: “Extase”
Jean-Phillipe Collard, piano; José Van Dam, bs. baritone
EMI 54818
3:16
Saint-Saëns: Introduction et Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Charles Dutoit; Chung, violin
London 425021
9:12
Episode 2
Saint-Saëns: Tarantelle For Flute, Clarinet And Orchestra
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Geoffrey Simon
CACD 1015
5:44
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto #2 In G Minor, Op. 22,(excerpts), I
Royal Concergebouw Orchestra/Neeme Järvi; Davidovich, piano
Phil 410 052
2:45,2:19,12:31
Saint-Saëns: Cello Concerto #1 In A Minor, Op. 33
London Symphony Orchestra/Antal Doráti; János Starker, violoncello
Mercury 432 010
18:38
Saint-Saëns: “Danse Macabre”
Jean-Philippe Collard, piano; José Van Dam, bass baritone
EMI 548182
2:11
Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre
National Philharmonic Orchestra/Leopold Stokowski; Sidney Sax, violin
EMI 64140
7:12
Episode 3
Saint-Saëns: Overture fr. Henry VIII (excerpt)
Orchestre Lyrique Français/Guingal
Chant du Monde 1083/85
1:46,2:52
Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalia (excerpts)
London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/Colin Davis; José Cura, tenor; Olga Borodina, mezzo soprano
Erato 24756
3:26,6:19,6:25,6:36
Saint-Saëns: Henry VIII: “Donce Le Pape Est Hostile…”
(excerpt)
Orchestre Lyrique Français/Guingal; Rouillon & Laiter, vocals
Chant du Monde 1083/85
1:46,2:52
Henry the VIII, “I Am” (excerpt)
Herman’s Hermits
:40
Saint-Saëns: Messe de Requiem, I & II
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Simon
Cala 1015
13:24
Episode 4
Saint-Saëns: Morceau De Concert In F Minor, Op. 94
Allegro; Allegro Non Troppo
Leipzig Gewandhaus/Kurt Masur; Baumann, horn
Philips 416380
8:38
Saint-Saëns: Carnival of The Animals
Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy;
Claude Frank & Lillian Kallir, pianos
Sony 62638
20:23,1:20
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, op. 61,I & II
New York Philharmonic/Dimitri Mitropoulos; Francescati, violin
Sony Masterworks Heritage 62339
15:32
Saint-Saëns: Romance In F, Op. 36
Steven Isserlis, violoncello; Francis Grier, piano
RCA 61678
2:50
Episode 5
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 4, IV
New York Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernstein; R. Casadesus, piano
RCA 6377
7:35
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 in C Minor, Op. 78, Organ
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/James Levine; Preston, organ
DG 419617
36:04
Saint-Saëns: “Le Rossignol et la Rose”
Berlin Symphony Orchestra/Michael Schonwandt; Dessay, soprano
EMI 14129
3:43
