Camille Saint-Säens

Clarity, elegance, depth of feeling, and effortless creativity characterise the work of Camille Saint-Saëns (1835–1921). Its scope is immense: in addition to 169 published works in all major genres, there are about that many compositions that were never published during his lifetime. It was not just that composing came easily to Saint-Saëns – he felt it was a necessity. In a famous bon mot, he said that he produced musical works of art according to his nature, just as an apple tree produces apples. The basis of his creative process was a mastery of all the technical aspects of composition.

Exceptionally gifted, Saint-Saëns learned to read music at an early age and made tremendous progress on the piano. His talents were not limited to music. At the age of seven, he was already able to translate Latin and Greek texts and showed a keen interest in science and mathematics. However, his merits set him apart in another way as well: Saint-Saëns had difficulty forming any friendships with his peers. At the age of 13, he began studying piano, organ, and composition at the Paris Conservatoire, achieving brilliant success in all three subjects. Shortly after completing his studies, the premiere of his anonymously announced First Symphony in December 1853 proved nothing short of sensational. When his identity was revealed, audiences could hardly believe that it had been composed by an 18-year-old.

At the age of 13, he began studying piano, organ, and composition at the Paris Conservatoire, achieving brilliant success in all three subjects. Shortly after completing his studies, the premiere of his anonymously announced First Symphony in December 1853 proved nothing short of sensational. When his identity was revealed, audiences could hardly believe that it had been composed by an 18-year-old.

Saint-Saëns first made a name for himself in Parisian musical life as a virtuoso pianist and organist, working at the famous La Madeleine church from 1857 to 1877. As a composer, he was considered a modernist because he was very interested in German music, incorporating influences from Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, and Richard Wagner into his compositions. In fact, he was only able to establish himself in Paris through the success his music had enjoyed in Germany. Saint-Saëns became one of the protagonists of the upswing in French instrumental music in the last third of the 19th century, particularly with his orchestral works, turning him into one of the most influential figures in Parisian musical life. The author Marcel Proust also paid tribute to Saint-Saëns: His First Violin Sonata is one of the models for the famous “little theme” that accompanies Swann and Odette.

The stylistic upheavals associated with composers such as Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel from 1900 onwards did not appeal to Saint-Saëns, which led to him being labelled a backward conservative. However, even during this period, he remained curious and continued to explore new genres of chamber music. He died in 1921 at the age of 86.