Saint-Saëns: The Complete Musician

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Tradition and Innovation

Child prodigy, organist, pianist, and polymath, Saint-Saëns embodied French musical culture. His long life spanned from Chopin's era to Stravinsky's, maintaining classical ideals while embracing progress.

Orchestral works display his craftsmanship: - Five Piano Concertos: No. 2 in G minor and No. 5 "Egyptian" remain repertoire staples - Symphony No. 3 "Organ" (1886): Cyclic form with organ integration - "Danse macabre" (1874): Death plays violin at midnight - "Le Carnaval des animaux" (1886): Zoological suite with humor

His operas achieved varied success: - "Samson et Dalila" (1877): Biblical sensuality banned in France, premiered in Weimar - Bacchanale: Orchestral orgy of unprecedented explicitness - Dalila's arias: Seduction through vocal beauty

Saint-Saëns championed earlier French music, edited Rameau, and promoted contemporary composers while maintaining conservative aesthetics in his own works.