Camille Saint-Saëns musical career is almost the inverse of that of Bizet. Their early lives were similar: native Parisians both, Saint-Saëns was slightly senior – born three years before Bizet. Both demonstrated a prodigious talent, entering the Conservatoire at a young age (Bizet at 10, Saint-Saëns at 13), and both were virtuoso pianists.
But there the similarities end: Bizet’s time as a student culminated in his winning the Prix de Rome, the most prestigious prize awarded by the Conservatoire; an award that, despite several attempts, Saint-Saëns failed to gain. And yet, paradoxically, thereafter Bizet’s musical life was dogged by failure while Saint-Saëns went on to have a brilliant career.
Below there’s a rare video of the composer demonstrating his astonishing technique, plus three examples – some very famous, others not quite so well known (but certainly worthy of your attention) – from his prolific output:
I – Allegro marcato: 0:00
II – Adagio: 8:11
III – Scherzo. Presto: 12:23
IV – Tarantella. Prestissimo: 17:17
Andante sostenuto 00:00
Allegro scherzando 13:05
Presto 19:31
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The Art of Listening 