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Donald Macleod explores Saint‑Saëns’s move into the Paris salons and his first attempt at networking.

Donald Macleod follows Saint‑Saëns into the world of the Paris salons, where a young composer begins to find his footing among patrons, performers and new musical alliances. Today, he traces Saint‑Saëns’s early years as an organist, the first stirrings of public recognition and the encounters that drew him into the rooms where reputations were made.

Henry VIII – Danse de la gypsy
Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Mogrelia, conductor

Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2 – I. Adagio. Allegro; II. Marche‑Scherzo
Orchestre National de France
Cristian Măcelaru, conductor

Tarantelle in A minor, Op. 6
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Demarre McGill, flute
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Allen Tinkham, conductor

Saint‑Saëns: Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 14 – I. Allegro moderato e maestoso
Fine Arts Quartet
Cristina Ortiz, piano

Saint‑Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20
Ruggiero Ricci, violin
Luxemburg Radio Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Cao, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West.

26 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Danse de la Gipsy from Henry VIII

    Orchestra: Razumovsky Sinfonia. Conductor: Andrew Mogrelia.
    • NAXOS : 8.-553338-9.
    • NAXOS.
    • 4.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Symphony No 1 in E flat major, Op 2 (1st & 2nd mvts)

    Orchestra: Orchestre national de France. Conductor: Cristian Măcelaru.
    • WARNER CLASSICS : 9029653343.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
    • 5.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Tarantelle, Op 6

    Performer: Anthony McGill. Performer: Demarre McGill. Orchestra: Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Allen Tinkham.
    • CEDILLE : CDR-90000187.
    • CEDILLE.
    • 3.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Piano Quintet in A minor, Op 14 (1st & 2nd mvts)

    Performer: Cristina Ortiz. Ensemble: Fine Arts Quartet.
    • NAXOS 8.572904.
    • NAXOS.
    • 6.
  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Violin Concerto No 1 in A major, Op 20

    Performer: Ruggiero Ricci. Orchestra: Luxembourg Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Pierre Cao.
    • BASILICA MUSIC : 888831827597.
    • BASILICA MUSIC.
    • 9.

Broadcast

  • Tuesday16:00

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