Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saens was a child prodigy, who started to play the piano from the age of two. Saint-Saens first worked as an organist and then also as a teacher at the École Niedermeyer. Saint-Saens was a firm advocate of the music of Liszt and Wagner; the influence of these composers can be seen in his symphonic poems of which he wrote a number of very successful examples.

One of Saint-Saens most popular work appeared in 1886, the 'Organ' Symphony No. 3. The Carnival of the Animals, written at the same time, was suppressed by the composer who thought it was too frivolous and would harm his career (it was only performed in full after his death). Aside from his excellent orchestral and chamber works Saint-Saens wrote thirteen operas though few were successful. Saint-Saens spent his last years traveling abroad before dying in 1928.

Key Works: Carnival of the Animals, Danse Macabre, Phaéton, Le Rouet d'Omphale, Symphony No. 3 'Organ', Havanaise, Introduction & rondo capriccioso, Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 'Egyptian', Samson et Dalila