Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saëns once said “I produce music as an apple tree produces apples.” In his day, that fruit was gobbled up all across Europe where the composer was acclaimed as the greatest of all French musicians. Liszt called him the greatest organist in the world. Yet in France, and in his home city of Paris, he was not always so highly regarded, despite his strong bond with his homeland. This week, as we mark the centenary of his death, Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Saint-Saëns, charting the changing relationship with France of one of the greatest musicians that the country has ever produced.

Music Featured:

Samson and Delilah, Op 47 (Bacchanale)
Le Soir
Piano Quintet in A minor, Op 14 (III. Presto)
Le muse et la poete, Op 132
Piano Trio No 2 in E minor, Op 92 (I. Allegro non troppo)
Symphony in F major “Urbs Roma” (II. Molto Vivace)
Fantaisie in D-flat major, Op 101
Tarantella in A minor, Op 6
The Carnival of the Animals (Aquarium; The Swan; Finale)
Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor, Op 22
Danse Macabre, Op 40
Marche Heroique, Op 34 (2 piano version)
Phaeton, Op 39
Allegro appasionato in B minor, Op 43
Le Deluge, Op 45 (Prelude)
Requiem, Op 54 (Sanctus; Benedictus; Agnus Dei)
Reverie
Henry VIII, Act 2: “Reine! Je serai reine!”
Symphony No 3 in C minor, Op 78 “Organ Symphony” (Finale)
Suite Algerienne, Op 60
Clarinet Sonata in E flat major, Op. 167 (III. Lento)
Ascanio – Act V, Scene 2: Tableau 7 (excerpt)
Desir de l’orient
Piano Concerto No 5 in F, Op 103 'Egyptian' (III. Molto Allegro)
L’Assassinat du duc de Guise, Op 128
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor, Op 28
Calme des nuits, Op 68, No 1

Presented by Donald Macleod
Produced by Sam Phillips

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012gl1

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z