Saint-Saëns - Symphony No. 3: "Organ Symphony"
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- Опубліковано 7 тра 2012
- The Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, was completed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886 at what was probably the artistic zenith of his career. It is also popularly known as the "Organ Symphony", even though it is not a true symphony for organ, but simply an orchestral symphony where two sections out of four use the pipe organ. The French title of the work is more accurate: Symphonie No. 3 "avec orgue" (with organ).
Of composing the work Saint-Saëns said "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again."[1] The composer seemed to know it would be his last attempt at the symphonic form, and he wrote the work almost as a type of "history" of his own career: virtuoso piano passages, brilliant orchestral writing characteristic of the Romantic period, and the sound of a cathedral-sized pipe organ.
The symphony was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in England, and the first performance was given in London on 19 May 1886, at St James's Hall, conducted by the composer. After the death of his friend Franz Liszt on 31 July 1886, Saint-Saëns dedicated the work to Liszt's memory. The composer also conducted the French premiere in January 1887.
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That'll do, Saint-Saëns. That'll do
ha nicely done
+MattMUA-cam Nicely said, pig
Awe. :)
"Yes, yes, Mrs. Danvers. That will be all!"
Da bomb!
One of my most amazing memories is of playing this piece in full orchestra in a cathedral, with a pipe organ. (I was one of the violins). You've never experienced the power of music until you've sat in the middle of the orchestra, I swear.
I envy you
My dream!
OMG what an experience !!
When you hear the music tears fly out of your eyes.
Amazing :)
I. Adagio. Allegro Moderato (00:00) - Poco Adagio (10:27)
II. Allegro Moderato. Presto. Allegro Moderato (20:06) - Maestoso (27:21)
The hidden four movements.
thanks. never knew that.
How come you divided in two sections even though there are four movmements?
@@yukidonnie3460 It is a solution that Saint-Saëns carries out to provide continuity in form. Avoiding silence and distraction between some movements. Influenced by Franz Liszt (and in memory of him), who through the idea of the symphonic poem and the thematic transformation allowed the musical post-romanticism had a great freedom of thematic/formal work. By the 1860s the symphony was in crisis (largely due to Wagner's ideas and criticisms), by the 1870s several symphonies emerged (Borodin, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner, Brahms) that began to feature Liszt's influences. Not in reduction of movements, but mainly as freedom of morphological work, metamorphosis of themes and their very characteristic production.
Interesting. It is said that in the last half of the 19th century almost everything in classical music was either done in agreement with Herr Wagner or as a deliberate reaction or antagonism to him.
I love how he mildly introduces the organ and eventually lets it loose!
Saint Saens is very underrated. He was very creative
underrated?
He was not only NOT underrated but well known in other fields and considered the finest organist of his time and certainly of one in history.
Saint- Saëns was said to be "unequaled on the organ", and almost without competition on the piano.
(recall the "Dying Swan") If not google Ed Sullivan (I recall seeing some greats as a child). (Note Tchaikovsky)
video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-mozilla-100&hsimp=yhs-100&hspart=mozilla&p=Ed+sullivan+the+dying+swan#id=1&vid=de97d6b1b63e0ffa8d117eccc5f5f49b&action=view
The Dying Swan (originally The Swan) is a solo choreographed by Mikhail Fokine in 1905 to Camille Saint-Saëns's Le Cygne from Le Carnaval des animaux as a pièce d'occasion for the ballerina Anna Pavlova, who performed it about 4,000 times. The short ballet (4 minutes) follows the last moments in the life of a swan, and was first presented in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1905.
The ballet has since influenced modern interpretations of Odette in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and has inspired non-traditional interpretations and various adaptations.
This is a great link.
www.classicfm.com/composers/saint-saens/guides/saint-saens-facts/
1. A Parisian prodigy
Born in Paris in 1835, Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns was raised by his widowed mother and her aunt who introduced the young Camille to the piano and gave him his first lessons. The boy was a true prodigy, demonstrating perfect pitch at the age of two. He gave his first public concert at five, accompanying a Beethoven violin sonata on the piano.
2. Praised by Liszt
The youthful Saint-Saëns, pictured, studied the organ and composition at the Conservatoire de Paris. He won many top prizes and eventually gained an introduction to Franz Liszt who went on to become one of his closest friends and supporters. Liszt described Saint-Saëns as ‘the greatest organist in the world’.
3. A brilliant mind
The composer’s formidable intellect was not limited to music. He had a profound interest in - and knowledge of - geology, botany, butterflies, and maths. He enjoyed discussions with Europe's finest scientists and wrote numerous academic articles about acoustics.
5. 1886 - a year of great works
Saint-Saëns was 51 when he produced two of his most famous works, The Carnival of the Animals and the Symphony No. 3 ‘Organ’, which was dedicated to Liszt, who died later that year. The Organ Symphony was famously used as the main theme in the 1995 film Babe and its sequel, Babe: Pig in the City
6. An unrepeatable achievement
The Organ Symphony was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in the UK, and Saint- Saëns travelled across the Channel to conduct its premiere at the old St. James’s Hall, now the site of Le Meridien Hotel in Picadilly. ‘I gave everything to it I was able to give,’ said the composer of the work. ‘What I have accomplished here, I will never achieve again.’
7. The first master of movie music
In 1908, Saint-Saëns became the first famous name to provide a score to a film. The 18-minute-long motion picture, ‘The Assassination of the Duke of Guise’, was made by a team who also encouraged well-known stage actors to perform in their films to give them some kudos. Saint-Saëns later developed his music into a concert work - the Opus 128 for strings, piano and harmonium.
9. Organist, pianist and recording artist
Saint- Saëns was said to be "unequalled on the organ", and almost without competition on the piano. However his performance style was described as ‘restrained, subtle and cool’. He was one of the first pianists to experiment with recordings, and was in fact the earliest-born pianist to ever make a recording of his work.
He's only really well known for this and Carnival of the Animals. Maybe the first Cello concerto. There are four more symphonies (at least the two other numbered ones are worth listening to), five amazing piano concerti (in my opinion the last three are the best, though people like the second one too), and a few nice sacred works (I recommend The Flood/Le Deluge). He wrote much more than he's well known for, so I'd say he's underrated.
klop422 I’d say pretty well known for Danse Macabre.
@@StreetsofSaigon his piano concertos are also very popular I'd say, as well as his chamber works
I heard an excerpt (The Organ bit) when I was a young boy and never knew what it was. I never forgot the tune though and when I heard it in Babe many years later I was able to find out the composer. I now have a lot of Saint-Saens music and he is one of my favourite composers. This is truly majestic and beautiful.
In 2021 there came a box out from Warner Music with 36 hours of Saint Saëns music.
This "Organ Symphony" was my introduction to classical music many years ago. It still moves me to this day...
A lot of people are complaining about the speed of the last movement, but a slower tempo allows us to savor the richness of the orchestration.
The final movement touches the spiritual in any sensitive person. It is truly a great moment in music history.
Probably my favorite symphony. Some of the passages seem to carry you to heaven. There is no other like it.
Something about 2:22 onwards a little gets me
Had the privilege of playing this entire piece when I was in the youth symphony in high school. One of the coolest experiences I've had. Saint Saens really outdid himself with this one.
The part from 27:54 - 29:10 invokes a feeling that no other music does for me… it’s sad yet grand and triumphant, the kind of feeling you might get when you have to leave something behind in life order to move on to bigger and better things
I played the Organ Symphony with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra at the Cathedral of Christ the King as Principal Trumpet in 1984. Acoustics made it exciting, but tough to rehearse. Exciting performance! Michael McClary, Professor of Trumpet, Georgia Perimeter College, Dunwoody Branch
One of the most beautiful musical pieces of all time.
The segment starting at 10:30 is just amazing.
It will always be my favourite part.
never knew the organ comes in from there till recently.
Yes it is absolutely beautiful.
I want to hear this piece live! With a huge pipe organ! To really FEEL those bottom pipes open up!
as someone who has been in the orchestra while it was happening, I can highly recommend
@@Antimatterpenguin ditto
heard the at the royal albert hall and you can feel the deep notes in your chest not just hear
27:55 If I had words to make a day for you
I'd sing you a morning golden and true
I would make this day last for all time
Then fill the night deep in moonshine
That was a lullaby we sang to the kids for many years.
Saint-Saens was a genius that wrote something that inspires everyone. I am an amateur violinist. I loved it the first time now I get goosebumps from beginning to end every time more and more.
I drive a commuter bus for a living. The other morning, the local classical station played this - I turned it up and actually applauded at the end. My passengers were somewhat bemused.
My personal Saint-Saens favorite. First heard it while driving just after my beloved Aunt had died at 51 from cancer, with the tears flowing I had to pull over to write down the name and title of the piece. The 4 hand piano at 27:54 has to be what the music in heaven sounds like! Genius!!!
+Richard Bachert A similar 4 hands are used in "The Aquarium" in "The Carnival Of The Animals"
no wonder...?
Oh, my gosh, Richard ... thanks for telling your sad tale. Heartbreaking.
This is one of the best of Saint- Saens' works. The Organ sections simply scintillate! Having grown up in a house where my aunt was an Organist, I know very well its power.
I'm glad you've been enjoying the music..
Everyone's talking about their favourite parts of the piece - a popular choice seems to be 28:30 - but for me it has to be 25:28. It's a sense of anticipation that the big moment is coming; the melody in the lower brass is obviously used elsewhere in the symphony but this particular example really gets to me and makes me smile every time.
Agree. I’m always waiting with bated breath for “that” moment.
I am generally not into classical music, but god do I love his music!
Grew up in a small church with a lot of show offs who installed a way too big pipe organ of high quality. Pipes everywhere. It sounded utterly magnificent. Made me really enjoy going to church, especially when certain people played the organ who weren't afraid to show what it could do.
Glorious symphony with the wonderful organ instrument! LOVE!
Some of my favorite pieces of classical music including a solo I spent five months studying were written by saint saëns and I never realized it until a few days ago. One of my favorite composers, along with Brahms and Schubert.
Doing a research paper on this man (I basically know him like the back of my head and am extremely impressed by his life) and if I show a piece of music by him I get 50 pts extra credit. Thanks Camille Saint-Saens for being a phenomenal person and composer and I've probably got the coolest composer so ha Thomas! You can shove Guiseppe Verdi's autobiography research paper down your throat!
My dad used to play this so loud, the furniture would rattle.
That's the way you do it
That's the way it is intended to be played ... preferably with dual 18" sub-woofers and a 1,000 Watt amplifier! Re-attaching your drywall to the studs after the performance is a common experience.
@Zoz Violin bros 100% true.
@Zoz Violin bros Why the disbelief? The vibrations of the bass tones can easily make other things vibrate too.
Me too. I played this through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls and it would shake the jalocy panes loose in the windows.
No words for the last 9 minutes. The storng organ introduction followed by 4 hands piano is absolutely unique!! The final is a triumph!!
Absolutelly brilliant!!! Saint-Saëns, totally underrated, such a jewel each of his works
First Symphony that I heard as a child-it was directed by Arturo Toscannini..I was captivated by the music and tried directing it ..my parents got a kick watching me..but this is one of my favorite symphonies-along with Windor's Fugue number V for Organ..glorious music ...glorious...
Absolutely amazing piece!
Indeed.
increíble la manera en que un ser humano después de muerto pueda seguir conmoviendo y emocionando al grado en que lo hizo conmigo. Gracias Saint Saëns!
He´s been a real genius. How could have one person something that overwhelming big thing? Thank you ssooooo much!!!
A masterpiece. Absolute masterpiece
My Cousin knows that his death was near - his last wish was this Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78,
to play at his funeral. ...
starting here at the 27. minutes... RIP Helmut Mark
I am a great fan of this symphony. I actually stumbled on it by accident. The melody of the organ solo is the basis for a song that is part of the movie "Babe". I was so intrigued by the tune that I tracked down the origin and found this great symphony by Saint-Saens.
Roger Hartsook me too except I was looking for the 70s song's origins because I remember that the farmer sang different lyrics to what I learned in high school
They play pieces of this music at Epcot in the France section. There's a film that has a bunch of things about France, told through fly-overs and beautiful scenery with parts of this music as the soundtrack. It's incredibly moving.
One of the most Amazing pices of music ever! Love it
Franz Liszt and Saint Saens were friends??
Freaking awesome.
Dansa Press Look for the "Danse macabre" Wrote by Saint Saens and modified by Liszt, you'll cry :)
Dansa Press Wagner and Nietzsche were friends apparently.. sooo cool minus the fact that Wagner was an antisemite
Dansa Press Liszt was a friend to pretty much every 19th century composer. :) He encouraged younger composers and everyone went to ask for his advice.
+hannah lipton
nietzsche and wagner were friends, eventually they fell
out of each other, nietzsche suffered terrible headaches because of Wagner.
+Nico Bakker You mean because Cosima Wagner XP
Absolutely brilliant, beyond words.
I don't think I've ever heard this entire piece. It is awesome to be able to. Thanks for uploading this!
This symphony is sublime and beautiful.
My very favorite. I didn't even like classical music much till I walked into the Canada 360 degree movie at Epcot in about 1990 and heard some of this. Hooked.
So brilliant. My favorite piece of music from high school wind ensemble days. 💛
56 people are def or have tumors in their ears. This is simply beautiful especially the finale.
Not a single better composer to introduce someone to classical music with. Man did a little bit of everything
It's a bit sad that St. Saens died with the knowledge that the "romantic period" in music was ending and being replaced -- in France and elsewhere -- by the much newer music of Debussy and Ravel. At his death in 1921, he must have positively hated the state of music in France. Of Debussy's Prelude L'apres Midi D'une Faune he said "it is a pretty sound but it hasn't the least musical idea in it." He must have thought of his music as a kind of glorious sunrise when of course it turned out to be a sunset. Still, the organ symphony and several of his other works have remained in the repertoire and even today they represent a timeless beauty.
Still works for me.
You forgot to mention that Ravel and Debussy aren't bad.
Bach's polyphony was considered old-fashioned even during much of his lifetime. Nevertheless, he remained interested in the "new" music and instruments.
I for one like Debussy.
thomas thompson g
Holy God what a great piece of art
I. Adagio. Allegro Moderato (00:00)
Poco Adagio (10:27)
II. Allegro Moderato. Presto. Allegro Moderato (20:06)
Maestoso (27:21)
Божественно.
Such a wonderful piece of music.
superb and sublime- a work of true genius.how lucky we are to have the music of this dedicated composer. it surely enriches the lives of those who hear it and come to treasure it.
Meu Deus... esse último movimento é sublime!!! É coisa realmente divina!!!
Excellent composition and rendition !
Thanks
THIS MAKES ME WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON....
Hannah Riedel You can start by not writing in Caps Lock in order to get attention
Too bad the music did not inspire you to "be a better person".
I love this sentiment.
I'll settle for happy to be alive, aurally capable and sentient. Better? Maybe...
@@TH-ds2yx Funny!!!
Una bellissima sinfonia
I will never forget the time when I first listened to this. I was ready for bed listening to my local Classical FM station in Chicago WFMT. I couldn't sleep for the rest of my life.
It's been years since I've heard WFMT! Used to listen to it all the time when I lived in Chicago. It's where I learned to love Classical music. A love that has stayed with me through the years.
@@irishenterprisesllc7414 I listen to it every night. The station is still alive and well.
My favorite segment...''Through the night'' they play some of the most intimate Music and follow up with a story about the composer and it's creation.
@@EdwardSanchezMusic I'm very happy to hear the station is alive and well. Enjoy. I make do with UA-cam music mostly. Listening to Handel Organ Concertos right now.
@@irishenterprisesllc7414 OH Handel, the Diva, yes his Organ Concertos and his Harpsichord works are sublime, I can just imagine the young proud English upcomer arriving in Italy w full confidence, daring Scarlatti on a duel, he did won the Organ but lost on the Harpsichord against the virtuosi, listen to HWV 295The Cuckoo & The Nightingale, that is why Handel won that day, of course he only met Bach once barely having interest in who he was.
I just saw the movie Babe. Glad to find this excellent recording - such a beautiful piece.
10:29 - 14:20 ........ so beautiful... it almost hurt.... When i was listening......., well listen.... experienced this piece in de royal Concert Gebouw Amsterdan with his orchestra, my eyes filled with tears
performing this with the Notre Dame symphony in the basilica next year to dedicate what should be one of the best organs in the world; can't wait!
+Coleman Maberry Wow! Congratulations, and enjoy!
Howd it turn out?
@@chairmannudderbudder1236 it burned the whole chruch
@@dalmatiaball7687 that's what you call a performance!
Thanks for posting, beautiful piece.
I still remember hearing part of this in the movie Babe, from when I was just a little kid
Absolutely superb, ... inspirational.
I forgot to mention that at 11:38 is when it really hits you how beautiful it really is!
The two last bars of the last 3/1 are so great, when the organ plays the last chord with the timpani when it plays C, E and G.
When I played this, my father was the timpanist and my sister cellist. My father almost broke the timpani, because it had to be very loud, but it is a great majestic moment
My brother, Billy Stewart, led me here. I'm hearing this on Christmas Eve 2015 on his recommendation.
+Noe Berengena Soooo, what are your thoughts????
+Mike Rogers -- Although most people probably prefer the bold Allegro movement (with organ in the fore) I am highly partial to the slow thematic transformation of the Adagio movement that precedes it. Its rich chromatic tones, shifting from major to minor chords, then the cello and bass pizzicato section are, in my opinion, wonderful Romanticism.
(I go into a reverie between 18:02 and 20:05)
This fantastic piece is the background music for the "Racing The Silver Arrows" grand prix race cars of the late 1930s on UA-cam. Google the series and you have the best of both worlds . . . great music and fantastic racing. I'm a lover of classical music and a former race driver so I spend lots of time in both areas of UA-cam.
This has been my favourite piece of music for about 20 years now. It's easy to understand why the composer himself was so proud of this symphony, it indeed is music into which someone has given everything he has. Such emotional and brilliant and at the same time masterfully constructed music can only evolve in the heart of a true genius. One of my most thrilling experiences was to hear this symphony played live in a big church. WOW!!
Makes my work so much better! Thanks for posting.
Just watched this performed live last night in Greenville, SC.
Dear "TheWickedNorth", Thanks for uploading of this great WORK. All the people need music like this, either they know it or doesn't know it.
Concratulations for your Channel.-
What a paradoxical recording. Love it!
10:29
This is a brilliant movement.
absolutley 100% stuning
27:48-onwards is beyond!! Ethereal...
27:48 - 29:10
Its what Im here for
+Katie Tuttle (KaatieMyLaady) BABE THE SHEEP PIG
ah but what about the 3rd movement starting at about 20:00
I learn each time again from him.
My father took me to Tangelwood to hear Munsch direct the orchestra for this piece of music. Great symphony great memories
When the organ is given time to be heard is soooooo beautiful. I was like: aweee, I hear it. it's so beautiful.🤌🤌
Played this symphony two days ago as soloist horn. Pure majesty, but the 4th movement should be a little faster.
By the way, part of the 4th movement is also used in the 2003 movie "The One", in the wedding scene
Salute. Words will sound frivolous.
This piece of music is inspirational. Good thing 2/3 of us know this from the movie Babe fantastical
metal heads enjoy classical music as well. we're not as simple-minded as people may think. In fact, most guitarists are classically trained. I thank you for the upload! \m/
You rock, brah. Best classical music youtube guy to be subscribed to.
beautiful
Splendid stuff!
My youth orchestra is playing this tomorrow. It is such an honor playing such a great piece. very long though. It will be the first time i play a piece that is over 30 minutes long.
amazing...
Classical music - masterpieces of world art!
the greatest work by a French composer
3:27 makes me so happy :)
Wunderbar !!! Super
I, like many others, know the last movement well, but last night on Classic FM (14.06.2020) was my introduction to the "poco adagio". Man, I was transported!
On the comment on the similarity to Sibelius. What is it? Unlike most of the rest of the Romantic composers, he is not obsessed with maintaining a smooth blend in his orchestration. His use of the oboes, especially in the lowest 3 notes of its range, is always obtrusive due to its honking like sound. Both he and Sibelius fear not to tread on this "dangerous" ground. By the way, I played oboe, and always appreciated a chance to use my preparation for these notes.
The last giant of romantism,and a giant none the less.
well put
Why the hell is there an ad in the middle of this masterpiece???
Ads are in all videos unless you pay.
if you downloaded on your pc the ad won't appear
@@pepesalmon Yep... I know and, although the YT nannies are wise to this, I didn't want to put it up here.
I cry at the beauty of this piece
amazing