PersonalGroup
Start free

Saint-Saëns · Camille Saint-Saëns

Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 1 in E♭ major

The 18-year-old's symphony billed as by an 'unknown German composer'

Key
E♭ major
Composed
1853
Premiere
1853 Paris
Duration
about 33 min
Movements
4 movements
Instrumentation
Woodwinds 3·2·2·2 (piccolo and English horn doubling, + bass clarinet) · Brass 4·2·3·0 (+ 2 cornets and 2 saxhorns) · Timpani (2 players) · Percussion (cymbals) · Harps 4 · Strings

The story behind this piece

Saint-Saëns wrote this piece in the summer of 1853, at the age of 18. Seeing the large orchestration, François Seghers, conductor of the Société Sainte-Cécile, presented it as if it were the work of a German composer. At rehearsal, Berlioz and Gounod reportedly discussed the piece's strengths and weaknesses without realizing the composer was right beside them. This is a story Saint-Saëns himself told later. The premiere was held on December 18, 1853.

What to listen for

  • It's a large-scale piece. Listen for the splendid finale, with brass and harps added.

Listen · Score

Credits