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Donald Macleod explores how Camille Saint‑Saëns’s musical interests took hold in childhood, shaped by whistling kettles, brassy orchestras, and at his beloved piano.

Donald Macleod explores Saint‑Saëns's childhood in Paris, discovering the piano one note at a time and finding music in the quiet corners of daily life. Today, he follows the young composer through the early encouragements, concertgoing, and first encounters with the wider musical world that start to steer his ambitions. It’s the beginning of a journey that quickly gathers pace, from a curious boy at the keyboard to a teenager finding his footing as both performer and creator.

Danse macabre, Op. 40
Michael Matthes, organ
Lyon National Orchestra
Emmanuel Krivine, conductor

Calme des nuits (Deux Chœurs, Op. 68 No. 1)
Radio Svizzera Choir
Diego Fasolis, conductor

Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75 – I. Allegro agitato – Adagio
Fanny Clamagirand, violin
Vanya Cohen, piano

Violin Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 75 – I. Allegro agitato – Adagio
Fanny Clamagirand, violin
Vanya Cohen, piano

Oratorio de Noël, Op. 12 – Movements 1-4
Britt‑Marie Aruhn, soprano
Erland Hagegård, tenor
Ulf Lundmark, bass
The Mikaeli Chamber Choir
Royal Opera Orchestra
Anders Eby, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West

28 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Monday16:00
BBC Radio 3

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To the salon!Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

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Music Played

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Danse Macabre, Op 40

    Orchestra: Orchestre national de Lyon. Conductor: Emmanuel Krivine.
    • DENON : 5750242.
    • DENON.
    • 7.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Calme des nuits, Op 68, No 1

    Choir: Swiss Chamber Chorus. Conductor: Diego Fasolis.
    • CHANDOS : chan-10214.
    • CHANDOS.
    • 12.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Violin Sonata No 1 in D minor, Op 75 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Fanny Clamagirand. Performer: Vanya Cohen.
    • NAXOS : 8.572750.
    • NAXOS.
    • 1.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Symphony No 3 in C minor 'Organ' Op 78 (1st mvt)

    Performer: Iveta Apkalna. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Mariss Jansons.
    • BR Klassik : 900178.
    • BR Klassik.
    • 1.

  • Camille Saint‐Saëns

    Christmas Oratorio, Op 12 (excerpt)

    Singer: Britt Marie Aruhn. Singer: Erland Hagegård. Singer: Ulf Lundmark. Choir: Mikaeli kammarkör. Director: Anders Eby.
    • PROPRIUS : PRSCD-9057.
    • PROPRIUS.
    • 1.

Broadcast

  • Monday16:00
    BBC Radio 3

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