Portrait by Paul Helm
click on image for more info
Camille Saint-Saens was not only a composer but a pianist, organist, writer and teacher. Liszt called him the world's greatest organist. His compositions include all genres of music.
Born: Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns. October 9, 1835 in Paris, France Father: Jacques Joseph Victor Saint-Saens, died of TB when Camille was 2 months old. Government clerk. Mother: Clémence Françoise Collin, watercolour artist. Aunt: Madame Masson. Helped bring up Camille. Was his first piano teacher. Siblings: none Wife: 1875 he married 19-year-old Marie-Laure TruffotMarie Truffot. Marriage lasted 6 years only. Children: two sons André and Jean-François.They died in 1878 within six weeks of each other, one from an illness the other by falling from a fourth floor window. Died December 16, 1921 in Algiers, Algeria Cause of death: pneumonia Grave: Body returned to France for a state funeral. Buried in Montparnasse cemetery. See findagrave for a photo.
Works
Over 300 works, unusually in all genres, including - 13 operas (Samson Delilah the only one remembered) - 5 Symphonies (best known No3 the Organ symphony ) - 3 concertos for violin and orchestra - 5 concertos for piano and orchestra - 2 concertos for cello and orchestra - organ music - numerous pieces for the piano - approx 100 songs - chamber music - sacred music including a Requiem numerous transcriptions (Bach especially)
His most popular work is "Carnival of the Animals" the performance of which he forbade during his lifetime, except for "The Swan".
He was also a prolific writer and produced poems, a play, critical essays, and works on science, astronomy, travel and history.
Quotes
- "There is nothing more difficult than talking about music."
- "The artist who does not feel completely satisfied by elegant lines, by harmonious colors, and by a beautiful succession of chords does not understand the art of music."
- "the closest France has come to producing another Mozart", Faure about Camille
- "If he'd been making shell-cases during the war it might have been better for music."-Maurice Ravel on Camille Saint-Saens
