Saint-Saëns · Camille Saint-Saëns
Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 2 in A minor
The 'actually fourth' symphony that's over in 20 minutes
- Key
- A minor
- Composed
- 1859
- Premiere
- 1860 Paris
- Duration
- about 22 min
- Movements
- 4 movements
The story behind this piece
Written in 1859 and premiered in Paris in March 1860, it was dedicated to the conductor Jules Pasdeloup. At just over 20 minutes, it is short and has no filler. It is numbered No. 2, but because earlier symphonies remain unnumbered, it is actually his fourth symphony.
What to listen for
- Movement 1: It opens with a fugue rather than sonata form. Follow how the voices take up the same theme one after another.
- Movement 4: It races off in a breathlessly fast presto.
Listen · Score
Credits