Camille Saint-Saens

Saint-Saens is one of the most famous composers France has produced. A successful and widely renowned child prodigy, he was a master of form possessed of an acute intelligence. Many of his works stand out for their lush instrumentation, strong melodies and sweeping, grand musical statements. "Bacchanale" from the opera Samson et Dalila, is an exotic, at times steamily erotic, evocation of this Biblical saga (imagine Ravel's Bolero with the volume turned up to eleven). His Carnival of the Animals is even more delightful: fourteen sonic "portraits" of all manner of beasts, including the majestic lion, the awkward and comical hen, and the slow, sad, yet noble tortoise. Saint-Saens masterfully used the orchestra, piano and organ to make exuberant and colorful music, leaving vivid impressions upon the minds of his listeners.