author
Camille Saint-Saëns
1835–1921
A child prodigy who became one of France’s most versatile musicians, he wrote with dazzling craft and a gift for memorable melody. His music ranges from the wit of The Carnival of the Animals to the grandeur of the “Organ” Symphony and the drama of Samson and Delilah.
4 Audiobooks
On the Execution of Music, and Principally of Ancient Music
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Musical Memories
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Rimes familières
by Camille Saint-Saëns
Portraits et souvenirs
by Camille Saint-Saëns
About the author
Born in Paris in 1835, Camille Saint-Saëns showed extraordinary musical talent almost immediately. He was a celebrated pianist and organist as well as a composer, and his long career helped shape French musical life in the 19th century.
He wrote in many forms—operas, symphonies, concertos, chamber music, sacred works, and shorter pieces that remain concert favorites. Among the best known are Danse macabre, The Carnival of the Animals, the Symphony No. 3 (“Organ”), and the opera Samson and Delilah.
Saint-Saëns was admired for clarity, elegance, and technical brilliance, even as musical fashions changed around him. He died in Algiers in 1921, leaving behind a huge body of work that still feels lively, colorful, and remarkably fresh.