Saint-Saëns - Symphony No. 3: "Organ Symphony"

[@katietaylor8314]

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.

[@eneagram]

I envy you

[@annemarieclaudia]

My dream!

[@calypsodragonheart]

OMG what an experience !!

[@rpchambon]

When you hear the music tears fly out of your eyes.

[@angeloddrev]

Amazing :)

[@MattMinecraft4]

That'll do, Saint-Saëns. That'll do

[@HarmonyP]

ha nicely done

[@Rexcetera]

+MattMKZbin Nicely said, pig

[@Jbm0230]

Awe. :)

[@mikeg.1374]

"Yes, yes, Mrs. Danvers. That will be all!"

[@johnstavros5618]

Da bomb!

[@shopatbobs]

This "Organ Symphony" was my introduction to classical music many years ago. It still moves me to this day...

[@alfredogomez5241]

Saint Saens is very underrated. He was very creative

[@thewatcher638]

underrated?

[@sazure2]

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.

[@klop4228]

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.

[@StreetsofSaigon]

klop422 I’d say pretty well known for Danse Macabre.

[@benalkan8559]

@@StreetsofSaigon his piano concertos are also very popular I'd say, as well as his chamber works

[@ursine121]

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.

[@haver9478]

In 2021 there came a box out from Warner Music with 36 hours of Saint Saëns music.

[@stanastan977]

I love how he mildly introduces the organ and eventually lets it loose!

[@realmusic1481]

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.

[@yukidonnie3460]

thanks. never knew that. How come you divided in two sections even though there are four movmements?

[@realmusic1481]

@@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.

[@samuelenoh-tanya2820]

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.

[@christophertaylor9100]

One of the most beautiful musical pieces of all time.

[@raymondperinger5010]

The final movement touches the spiritual in any sensitive person. It is truly a great moment in music history.

[@kowhort]

Probably my favorite symphony. Some of the passages seem to carry you to heaven. There is no other like it.

[@jakehouston3377]

Something about 2:22 onwards a little gets me

[@MrBiggunsbobby]

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.

[@Boccaccio1811]

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

[@tobyj762]

The segment starting at 10:30 is just amazing.

[@bertsmith7013]

It will always be my favourite part.

[@yukidonnie3460]

never knew the organ comes in from there till recently. Yes it is absolutely beautiful.

[@1rammstein21]

I want to hear this piece live! With a huge pipe organ! To really FEEL those bottom pipes open up!

[@Antimatterpenguin]

as someone who has been in the orchestra while it was happening, I can highly recommend

[@bipbipletucha]

@@Antimatterpenguin ditto

[@goodwood-rc4nx]

heard the at the royal albert hall and you can feel the deep notes in your chest not just hear

[@TheWickedNorth]

I'm glad you've been enjoying the music..

[@tashaschneider1419]

Glorious symphony with the wonderful organ instrument! LOVE!

[@diggingdon]

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.

[@damana1000]

I am generally not into classical music, but god do I love his music!

[@mikemcclary3531]

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

[@spiritgirl41192]

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

[@tylersnortum-phelps7239]

That was a lullaby we sang to the kids for many years.

[@bertfannin9778]

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.

[@fernandoosma297]

Absolutelly brilliant!!! Saint-Saëns, totally underrated, such a jewel each of his works

[@gunkadink]

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!!!

[@SuperNevile]

+Richard Bachert A similar 4 hands are used in "The Aquarium" in "The Carnival Of The Animals"

[@oscaris1ru12]

no wonder...?

[@foveauxbear]

Oh, my gosh, Richard ... thanks for telling your sad tale. Heartbreaking.

[@weasel_in_a_tophat]

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.

[@kileywileyodi]

One of the most Amazing pices of music ever! Love it

[@CarlosPT-hb6zb]

No words for the last 9 minutes. The storng organ introduction followed by 4 hands piano is absolutely unique!! The final is a triumph!!

[@eastwestcoastkid]

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...

[@harrylewis80]

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.

[@englishrose47]

Agree. I’m always waiting with bated breath for “that” moment.

[@servals2384]

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.

[@timm6112]

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.

[@Phynne85]

He´s been a real genius. How could have one person something that overwhelming big thing? Thank you ssooooo much!!!

[@Some_Guy_From_Ohio]

Absolutely amazing piece!

[@bipbipletucha]

Indeed.

[@TheTriSec]

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.

[@richconroy7346]

This symphony is sublime and beautiful.

[@alag1]

So brilliant. My favorite piece of music from high school wind ensemble days. 💛

[@ceciliampuga6045]

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!

[@chasebarber10]

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!

[@logicreason9770]

Absolutely brilliant, beyond words.

[@safasaleh3010]

Holy God what a great piece of art

[@rogerhartsook7719]

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.

[@LuciferXFallen290]

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

[@LarisaShik180165Fox]

Classical music - masterpieces of world art!

[@lenteach]

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.

[@10scheherazade01]

I don't think I've ever heard this entire piece. It is awesome to be able to. Thanks for uploading this!

[@rurouninorma]

Such a wonderful piece of music.

[@erozendal]

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

[@Solomija-r3h]

Божественно.

[@sellisti]

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!!

[@dras8533]

Una bellissima sinfonia

[@SammehEatWorld]

Not a single better composer to introduce someone to classical music with. Man did a little bit of everything

[@danielc.6158]

Franz Liszt and Saint Saens were friends?? Freaking awesome.

[@Nofus59]

Dansa Press Look for the "Danse macabre" Wrote by Saint Saens and modified by Liszt, you'll cry :)

[@o_deabanana4355]

Dansa Press Wagner and Nietzsche were friends apparently.. sooo cool minus the fact that Wagner was an antisemite

[@Nibelungenherr1876]

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.

[@bakkerbakkerable]

+hannah lipton nietzsche and wagner were friends, eventually they fell out of each other, nietzsche suffered terrible headaches because of Wagner.

[@TheGeras666]

+Nico Bakker You mean because Cosima Wagner XP

[@michelerot9772]

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

[@FiveJordans]

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.

[@karlmahlmann]

I just saw the movie Babe. Glad to find this excellent recording - such a beautiful piece.

[@marcosalexandre3253]

Meu Deus... esse último movimento é sublime!!! É coisa realmente divina!!!

[@Gabbleduck1]

Absolutely superb, ... inspirational.

[@gregbeyer9507]

My dad used to play this so loud, the furniture would rattle.

[@bipbipletucha]

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.

[@gregbeyer9507]

@Zoz Violin bros 100% true.

[@gregbeyer9507]

@Zoz Violin bros Why the disbelief? The vibrations of the bass tones can easily make other things vibrate too.

[@Merlinemryys]

Me too. I played this through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls and it would shake the jalocy panes loose in the windows.

[@EdwardSanchezMusic]

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.

[@irishenterprisesllc7414]

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.

[@EdwardSanchezMusic]

@@irishenterprisesllc7414 I listen to it every night. The station is still alive and well.

[@EdwardSanchezMusic]

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.

[@irishenterprisesllc7414]

@@EdwardSanchezMusic I'm very happy to hear the station is alive and well. Enjoy. I make do with KZbin music mostly. Listening to Handel Organ Concertos right now.

[@EdwardSanchezMusic]

@@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.

[@zacharymathey3901]

When the organ is given time to be heard is soooooo beautiful. I was like: aweee, I hear it. it's so beautiful.🤌🤌

[@123must]

Excellent composition and rendition ! Thanks

[@tomtriffid]

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.

[@kowhort]

Still works for me.

[@Zeitiah]

You forgot to mention that Ravel and Debussy aren't bad.

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Bach's polyphony was considered old-fashioned even during much of his lifetime. Nevertheless, he remained interested in the "new" music and instruments.

[@DerHerrMitR]

I for one like Debussy.

[@mavischristinadeighton4198]

thomas thompson g

[@1Martemil]

This piece of music is inspirational. Good thing 2/3 of us know this from the movie Babe fantastical

[@glennrigby]

Thanks for posting, beautiful piece.

[@albertosejas]

I learn each time again from him.

[@420smoker89]

56 people are def or have tumors in their ears. This is simply beautiful especially the finale.

[@WetaMantis]

I. Adagio. Allegro Moderato (00:00) Poco Adagio (10:27) II. Allegro Moderato. Presto. Allegro Moderato (20:06) Maestoso (27:21)

[@sylviafeldman-e7u]

My father took me to Tangelwood to hear Munsch direct the orchestra for this piece of music. Great symphony great memories

[@coleman177702]

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!

[@Symphing12]

+Coleman Maberry Wow! Congratulations, and enjoy!

[@chairmannudderbudder1236]

Howd it turn out?

[@dalmatiaball7687]

@@chairmannudderbudder1236 it burned the whole chruch

[@bargaincity6776]

@@dalmatiaball7687 that's what you call a performance!

[@duggyTwink]

absolutley 100% stuning

[@metaldedicated4life]

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/

[@Sploooks]

10:29 This is a brilliant movement.

[@snipez863]

27:48-onwards is beyond!! Ethereal...

[@sg1fan93]

I still remember hearing part of this in the movie Babe, from when I was just a little kid

[@rubenmejia9020]

Just watched this performed live last night in Greenville, SC.

[@petpal6369]

the greatest work by a French composer

[@KatieTuttleKaatieMyLaady]

27:48 - 29:10 Its what Im here for

[@willz2323]

+Katie Tuttle (KaatieMyLaady) BABE THE SHEEP PIG

[@NikoLiabotis]

ah but what about the 3rd movement starting at about 20:00

[@fairytaillover8]

nathan chen brought me here but this is absolutely delightful!!!!!! when 10:33 comes on !!!!!! i am !!!!!!! it sounds like a hopeful sun set , with sunlight illuminating the tops of an autumn forest .....

[@193322009]

This fantastic piece is the background music for the "Racing The Silver Arrows" grand prix race cars of the late 1930s on KZbin. 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 KZbin.

[@alexanderboschberth8988]

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

[@rr7firefly]

My brother, Billy Stewart, led me here. I'm hearing this on Christmas Eve 2015 on his recommendation.

[@mikerogers6136]

+Noe Berengena Soooo, what are your thoughts????

[@rr7firefly]

+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)

[@aarongensler946]

I cry at the beauty of this piece

[@dat3g_break56]

i was able to see this live. so grateful.

[@ryanisvibing]

Magnifique

[@cellofingers]

Makes my work so much better! Thanks for posting.

[@rickyzhang2529]

The last giant of romantism,and a giant none the less.

[@Megamain6]

well put

[@sambaransarkar5551]

Salute. Words will sound frivolous.

[@howdoigetknownonxbox]

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.

[@BrendaSueinIdaho]

Est tres belle - merci beaucoup! ~♥~

[@AthSamaras]

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.-

[@Elwingish]

this blows me out of my socks every time

[@rosdahl]

amazing...

[@marmelinho]

What a paradoxical recording. Love it!

[@kustlerpiano3355]

É SUA MELHOR SINFONIA!!!

[@Zephaniah3verse17]

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!

[@theeab1993]

beautiful

[@vutib]

real piece of art ! 10:33 ... so beautiful.

[@roam9166]

3:27 makes me so happy :)

[@sergiogerardovicogimena6605]

EN ÉSTA OBRA SE ENCUENTRAN LOS CARACTERES DEL CONCIERTO Y DE LA SINFONÍA. OBRA MEDITATIVA, PROFUNDA, PLENA DE CARÁCTER Y DE BELLEZA. UNA CATEDRAL DEL ÓRGANO, POR ASÍ DECIRLO. ELEVA AL ALMA Y LA LLENA DE BELLEZA. CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS: UN MAESTRO DE LA ORQUESTACIÓN. REALMENTE ESPLÉNDIDA SINFONÍA CONCERTANTE. ¡ BRAVO !!! ¡ GLORIOSA !!! JUNTO A OTRAS OBRAS DE GENIOS COMO BACH, POULENC, JOËNGEN, HAËNDELL, ETC.,ETC., ETC... P.S. ( THE WICKED NORTH ). QUISERA SABER QUIENES SON LOS INTÉRPRETES. GRACIAS.-

[@RicBret]

At 10:20 in you'll find one of the best, most subtle demo pieces for the bass in any audio system.

[@ms_med]

Ric Bretschneider I just reached it & I'm fighting tears! The softness of the notes are almost overwhelming.

[@CamiciNera-17m]

That's what I always said.

[@OurFatherInHeaven37]

genial symphony!!!

[@bilzebor8457]

My fav part is at 27:23 :)

[@fflambeauutube]

+SmileYou'reAlive Nice but I like the mysterious opening even more.

[@NikoLiabotis]

the bit at 7:00 I think is my fav...

[@squishylemon2641]

I like 7:00 and 20:00

[@kevinbyrne4538]

If plaster doesn't fall off the ceiling and walls when this chord is played, then the volume isn't loud enough.