SAINT-SAENS Camille (Saint-Sans Camille)

(1835-1921)
Born Oct. 9, 1835 in Paris, in a family originating from Normandy. His musical talent manifested itself even in childhood: seven years, he began to take lessons in harmony and playing the piano, and soon tried his hand in the composition. In 1846 a big-time debut as a pianist, but later abandoned public speaking, began his studies at the Paris Conservatory Composition and Body. In 1853, announced himself as the composer of the First Symphony, from 1858 for 20 years served as organist at the Church of St.. Madeleine.
Saint-Saens was twice denied the award of the Rome Prize, but he won the public competition for the best essay of exhibitions in 1867, earning the recognition of eminent contemporaries. In 1868, three weeks and then wrote to Tchaikovsky's First Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. In 1871-1876 created four symphonic poems - including the famous Dance of Death (Dance macabre) and the spinning wheel Omfaly (Rouet d'Omphale), and also finished fourth piano concerto with the orchestra and oratorio Deluge (Le Deluge). Opera Samson et Dalila (Samson et Dalila) with the support of Franz Liszt was first performed in Germany (1877), where to put in many theaters, and after 1890 - in France. Of the many stage works of Saint-Saens only the opera retains its place in the repertoire of opera houses. This is a sample of the French national school of music: after the defeat of France in the war with Prussia, strongly opposed the French musicians 'bad influence', . penetrates from behind the Rhine, . - The direction in operatic music, . initiated by the Richard Wagner,
. Sparkling humor 'zoological fantasy' Carnival of the Animals (Carnaval des animaux) written on private demand in 1866, . however, its public performance and publication (except one part - 'The Swan') were resolved only in 1922, . after the death of the composer,
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In the second half of life until his death at age 86 of Saint-Saens combined fruitful creative activity with traveling around the world. Working on operas, symphonies and chamber compositions, visited Egypt and Algeria, South America and the U.S.. Saint-Saens died in Algiers on 16 December 1921.