Camille Saint-Saëns

Adagio from Symphony No. 3, op. 78 (Organ Symphony)

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), while most well-known for his chamber and orchestral works, also composed much for the organ, having himself been appointed organist at both Saint Merri (1853-1857) and Madeleine (1857-1877), the latter post he held for 20 years. He is one of the 19th century's most important composers and performers for the organ, counted together with other greats such as Gigout, Guilmant, and Widor. The orchestral SYMPHONY No. 3 in C minor, popularly known as the "Organ Symphony", was completed in 1886 at what could be considered the artistic peak of Saint-Saëns' (1835-1921) career. The composer said of the work, "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again." Seeming to recognize that it would be his last attempt at the symphonic form, the composer filled the work with virtuoso piano passages, brilliant Romantic-era orchestral writing, and the sound of a cathedral-sized pipe organ. The ADAGIO movement is here transcribed for organ alone by Emile Bernard.