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Thursday 11th March 2021

Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

A Saint-Saëns Centenary Selection

Performers:

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France
Big Horn Brass  •  David Bryan, conductor
Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, pianos  •  Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello
Georgii Cherkin, piano  •  Classic FM Orchestra  •  Grigor Palikarov, conductor
Arthur Rubinstein, piano  •  London Symphony Orchestra  •  André Previn, conductor
Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano  •  Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana  •  conductor, Martin Katz
Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin  •  Berliner Philharmoniker / Berlin Philharmonic  •  Sir Simon Rattle, conductor
Eric Ruske, horn  •  Lela York, piano
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello  •  London Philharmonic Orchestra  •  Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor
Haruka Inoue, baritone saxophone  •  Makiko Yamaguchi, piano
Daniel Roth, organ  •  Orchestre Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth, conductor
Maïa Darme, harp


Guest Host: Peter Horsfield

Available: Thursday 11th March

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Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

A Saint-Saëns Centenary Selection
 

Programme

Symphony in A major  R 159 (c1850)
    IV Finale, allegro molto-presto


Danse macabre  Op 40, R 171 (1874)
Symphonic Poem in G minor

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France


[ Bacchanale
arr for brass by Angus Armstrong
from Act 3 Scene 2, of the opera Samson et Dalila Op 47 (1877)

Big Horn Brass • David Bryan, conductor ]


The Swan
from The Carnival of the Animals, R 125 (1886)

Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, pianos
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello


Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor R180 (1868)
    2 Allegro scherzando

Georgii Cherkin, piano
Classic FM Orchestra • Grigor Palikarov, conductor


[ Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor Op 22, R190 (1868)  
    1 Andante sostenuto
    2 Allegro scherzando
    3 Presto

Arthur Rubinstein, piano
London Symphony Orchestra • André Previn, conductor ]


Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix
My heart is open to your voice
from Act 2, of the opera Samson et Dalila Op 47 (1877)

Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana • conductor, Martin Katz


Introduction et Rondo capriccioso  in A minor
Op 28, R 188 (1863)

Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Berliner Philharmoniker / Berlin Philharmonic
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor


Romance en fa majeur Op 36, R 195

Eric Ruske, horn
Lela York, piano


Cello Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op. 33, R 193
    1 Allegro non troppo

Mstislav Rostropovich, cello
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor


Bassoon Sonata in G major, Op 168, R 148 (1921)
    1 Allegro moderato
    2 Allegro scherzando
    3 Molto adagio – Allegro moderato

Haruka Inoue, baritone saxophone
Makiko Yamaguchi, piano


Symphony No 3 Organ in C minor, Op 78, R 176 (1886)
    2 (finale)  Maestoso - allegro

Daniel Roth, organ
Orchestre Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth, conductor


ENCORE

Fantaisie for solo harp, in A minor, Op 95 (1893)
    2  Maestoso - allegro

Maïa Darme, harp


Concert duration: 75 minutes +

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Who was Camille Saint-Saëns ?

Charles-Camille Saint Saëns, 1835-1921, was both an infant prodigy, Mozartian in precociousness, and a long-lived and very prolific composer, besides during his lifetime being a poet, philosopher, playwright, astronomer, and archaeologist.

He was a virtuoso pianist and organist of international fame, and a conductor, right up to his death at the age of 86. It is remarkable, especially in consideration of the personal tragedies which he suffered in his life, how much of his music is full of uplifting, joyful energy.

You will find a more substantial biography on this wikipedia link.

With over three hundred musical works in a wide variety of forms, it is a daunting task to try and prepare a representative concert programme. I have limited my choice here largely to works with which I am familiar, or which have particular personal significance. I may include a few references to optional items along the way [indicated in brackets], for listeners who would like to explore any pieces of music in greater detail (which might overstep the time allowance of the programme.)

Peter Horsfield

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Saint-Saëns started playing the piano when he was two-and-a half and wrote his first piece at the age of 3.

By the age of ten he was a concert performer, and he composed his first symphony in 1850 at the age of 15. Here is the finale of that symphony, in its youthful exuberance:

Symphony in A major  R 159 (c1850)       5m50
IV Finale, allegro molto-presto


This Sympony was written some three years before the one known as his First Symphony (in Eb major, 1853)

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I think the first melody by Saint-Saëns with which I became familiar, probably at about the age of twelve, was the Danse Macabre (composed in 1874), though I’m sure I didn’t know the composer’s name at that time. 

Looking back, it seems likely that my Music Master played it on the organ at morning assembly, and, having a good ear for tunes, I soon found it going round and round in my head.

In much more recent times, I have had fun playing a short and simplified version of it on my flugelhorn.  Here is an orchestral performance of the work:

Danse macabre  Op 40, R 171 (1874)    7m25
Symphonic Poem in G minor

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France
broadcast on TV5 the French international channel in
Jean-François Zygel's series Les Clefs de l'Orchestre

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Here's my first Optional Extra, certain to take your listening time over the hour.

As an aside, the Bacchanalia dance from Sampson and Delilah seems to have some similarities in its structure and emotional impact.

Here it is played in a brass band arrangement:

Bacchanale                 8m20
arr for brass by Angus Armstrong
from Act 3 Scene 2, of the opera
Samson et Dalila Op 47 (1877)


Big Horn Brass
David Bryan, conductor

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Another favourite melody is the Swan, from Carnival of the Animals (1886), which I have also had the pleasure of singing in a vocal arrangement of it by my choral conductor, Ian Assersohn. 

Here it is played by the Kanneh-Mason siblings:

The Swan         2m35
from The Carnival of the Animals, R 125 (1886)

Isata Kanneh-Mason, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, pianos
Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello

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I acquired a CD of the 5 piano concertos some years ago, and my favourite is the scherzo from piano concerto no 2 in G minor (1868). Here it is played by the Bulgarian pianist Georgii Cherkin:

Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor Op 22, R190 (1868)     5m50
2. Allegro scherzando

Georgii Cherkin, piano
Classic FM Orxhestra, Grigor Palikarov, conductor
in the Bulgarian Hall, 18 April 2008 (Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture, Sophia)

Here comes my next Optional Extra. If you would like to experience the whole concerto, including the spectacular tarantella final movement, there is no-one better than Arthur Rubinstein in this recording. Careful though he does plunge straight in, almost before your finger is off the button:

Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor Op 22, R190 (1868)  
1 Andante sostenuto              26m15
2 Allegro scherzando
3 Presto

Arthur Rubinstein, piano
London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn, conductor

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Next is a sample of Saint-Saëns' vocal music: I became familiar with this wonderful aria from Sampson and Delilah when it was sung during the Cardiff Singer of the World competition, I think in 1997. Here it is performed by Marilyn Horne:

Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix      6m50
My heart is open to your voice
from Act 2, of the opera
Samson et Dalila Op 47 (1877)


Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano
Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana • conductor, Martin Katz
at the Palazio dei Congressi, Lugano, Switzerland

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Now for a short extract from a beautiful virtuoso violin piece, composed in 1863. I can’t remember when I first heard it, but this tune is another one which remains in the mind:

Introduction et Rondo capriccioso  in A minor
Op 28, R 188 (1863)                  2m15


Anne-Sophie Mutter, violin
Berliner Philharmoniker / Berlin Philharmonic
Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

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As a brass player, I’m always on the lookout for examples of brass instruments to include,  like the earlier Bacchanale option.

Amongst his huge musical output, Saint-Saëns wrote surprisingly little specifically for brass instruments (including just three listed for military band), and it has been very difficult to track down a suitable short recording.

However, this lovely little romance in F major for French Horn (1874) is well worth a listen.

Romance en fa majeur Op 36, R 195   3m45

Eric Ruske, horn
Lela York, piano
in the Edith & FE Atkinson Music Center Recital Hall,
New Mexico State University Music Dept, Las Cruces NM, February 23, 2009

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I have been familiar with this concerto for a long time: I was a (very basic standard) ‘cellist in my late teens and early twenties. (I still have my old ‘cello decades later, which has been much neglected, but I am now making a point of playing it again more regularly – a great deal of application is needed!)  My teacher sometimes used to play the opening theme, which sadly I found beyond me in difficulty. Here is a recording of the first movement:

Cello Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op. 33, R 193  10m45
1 Allegro non troppo

Mstislav Rostropovich, cello
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor

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The bassoon sonata was written when Saint-Saëns was 86, in the final year of his life, with the aim of expanding the repertoire for instruments with very few solo opportunities:

At the moment I am concentrating my last reserves on giving rarely considered instruments the chance to be heard.

The vibrancy of the music is remarkable.  Here is an unusual arrangement, which is particularly striking:

Bassoon Sonata in G major, Op 168, R 148 (1921)
1 Allegro moderato                                    12m48
2 Allegro scherzando
3 Molto adagio – Allegro moderato

Haruka Inoue, baritone saxophone
Makiko Yamaguchi, piano

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What more rousing finale could we have to this concert selection than the final part of the “Organ” Symphony,composed in 1886, when Saint-Saëns was probably at the artistic peak of his career.

This has been a personal favourite for a long time, and has a poignant association, as my late wife Mary and I discovered it when on a group walking holiday in 1987, not long before we were married – there were organised music appreciation sessions in the evenings, and we were soon captivated by this music:

Symphony No 3 Organ in C minor, Op 78, R 176 (1886)
2   Maestoso - allegro                                  9m00

Daniel Roth, organ
Orchestre Les Siècles
François-Xavier Roth, conductor
in Saint-Sulpice Church, Paris, France

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ENCORE

While browsing through many You Tube recordings, I found this harp solo (1893, Op. 95), which I have never heard before. I have included it especially for the benefit of my friend Geraldine, who plays the (Celtic) harp, and has on several occasions enjoyed taking part in a harp “choir”.


Here it is, played, appropriately, by a contemporary French harpist:

Fantaisie for solo harp, in A minor, Op 95 (1893)
2   Maestoso - allegro                                  9m20

Maïa Darme, harp
in Paris, France

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We hope you have enjoyed our Saint-Saëns Centenary Concert,
with selections made by Peter Horsfield for Music on Thursdays

Watch your email and this website
for news of next Thursday's Selection of Music for the Lute concert

4 March: Vivaldi Selection

18 March: Lute Selection

We continue with weekly video selection concerts until the end of June, with hopes of going live at Leatherhead Methodist Church from July 1st.

The first Thursdays in April, May and June will be further special recordings for Music on Thursdays. Watch out for news of the artistes who have accepted our lockdown challenge.

comments welcome:  [email protected]

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These concert recordings remain online

click on the buttons below to Listen (and watch) Again

and please tell your friends about them too !

AGM Piano Concert

Feb 25th
Thomas Ang
Bülow ♦ Liszt ♦ Amy Beach
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

harmonica

Oct 29th
Phil Hopkins
chromatic harmonica
Stuart Whatton
piano

CarmenCo

Oct 22nd

Carmenco

flute, voice & 2 guitars

Marion Bettsworth

Oct 15th

organist

Marion Bettsworth

Diphonon Duo

Oct 8th

Diphonon viola & accordion Duo

Eddie Lee

Oct 1st

pianist Eddie Lee's

Jazz on Thursday

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Concert Selections Still Available

for your listening on this Website:

Please click on a title to go to the concert webpage

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• Concert for St George's Day and Shakespeare's Birthday

• Music on May Day

• Music for VE Day 75th Anniversary

• Piano à Deux - Linda Ang Stoodley & Robert Stoodley, 4 hands on 1 piano

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• Beethoven & Haydn String Quartets

• Cello Tango - from solos to multi cellists

• Organs of Paris  ♥ Les Orgues de Paris

• Flute Fest

• Virtual Viola, hosted by Lynda Chang

• Multi Piano - pianos from two to 12 at a time

• From Sackbutt to Trombone

• Harp Haven - our President's 100th Birthday Concert

• Oboe Omnibus

• Gentle Guitar

• Music for Unusual Instruments

• Viola da Gamba, hosted by Ibrahim Aziz

• Music & the Military

• Choral Music

• Clarinet Compilation, hosted by Lynda Chang

• The Voice, hosted by Lynda Chang

• Beethoven 250, hosted by Peter Horsfield

• Eddie Lee's Jazz on Thursday - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Diphonon viola & accordion Duo - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Marion Bettsworth & organ of St Michael's Highgate - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• CarmenCo - Carmen's Story in flute, voice & guitars - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Phil Hopkins, harmonica, Stuart Whatton, piano,
            From JS Bach to film music composer John Barry - recorded as live for Arts e-Live

• Musical Fireworks - a musical selection

• Music of the Musicals up to 1960 - a musical selection

• Thomas Ang's 2021 AGM Piano Concert - recorded as Live for Music on Thursdays

• Vivaldi 343rd Birthday Selection - hosted by Peter Steadman

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You will find lots of music videos recorded during lockdown

click on the logo

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