Saint-Saëns's symphonies

English name

Camille Saint-Saëns

Life

1835–1921

Country

France & Belgium

Mainly active in

Paris

Symphony

3 symphonies

In a line

The French composer who wrote 'The Carnival of the Animals' and Symphony No. 3

Fun to know

• He wrote the 'Organ Symphony' and 'The Carnival of the Animals' in the same year, 1886
• The 'Organ Symphony' was dedicated to the memory of Liszt, who died that year
• Of the Organ Symphony he said, 'I gave everything I was able to give,' and he wrote no more symphonies after it

3 symphonies

• Symphony No. 1E♭ major · 1853 · about 33 minThe 18-year-old's symphony billed as by an 'unknown German composer'
• Symphony No. 2A minor · 1859 · about 22 minThe 'actually fourth' symphony that's over in 20 minutes
• Symphony No. 3 'Organ'C minor · 1886 · about 35 minThe Organ Symphony in which he 'gave everything he could give'