Born: 1835, Paris, France
Died: 1921, Algiers, Algeria

"What gives Sebastian Bach and Mozart a place apart is that these two great expressive composers never sacrificed form to expression. As high as their expression may soar, their musical form remains supreme and all-sufficient."

A child prodigy, Saint-Saëns was renowned as a virtuoso pianist of wide-ranging tastes. He was also a prolific composer, contributing to virtually every genre (including the short orchestral piece Hail! California, a souvenir of a 1915 visit to San Francisco). Perhaps his most popular piece today is The Carnival of the Animals, a witty extravaganza he tossed off while on vacation in Austria - he forbade performances of it during his lifetime, however, fearing for his reputation. His music is characterized by neo-classic clarity and balance, delivered with superb craftsmanship.

Further listening:

Symphony No. 3, "Organ" (1886)
E. Power Biggs, Phildelphia Orchestra,
Eugene Ormandy (Sony Classical)

Carnival of the Animals (1886)
London Sinfonietta, Charles Dutoit (Decca)

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