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Donald Macleod explores Saint‑Saëns’s move into the Paris salons and his first attempt at networking.

Donald Macleod follows Saint‑Saëns into the world of the Paris salons, where a young composer begins to find his footing among patrons, performers and new musical alliances. Today, he traces Saint‑Saëns’s early years as an organist, the first stirrings of public recognition and the encounters that drew him into the rooms where reputations were made.

Henry VIII – Danse de la gypsy
Razumovsky Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Mogrelia, conductor

Symphony No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 2 – I. Adagio. Allegro; II. Marche‑Scherzo
Orchestre National de France
Cristian Măcelaru, conductor

Tarantelle in A minor, Op. 6
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Demarre McGill, flute
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
Allen Tinkham, conductor

Saint‑Saëns: Piano Quintet in A minor, Op. 14 – I. Allegro moderato e maestoso
Fine Arts Quartet
Cristina Ortiz, piano

Saint‑Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20
Ruggiero Ricci, violin
Luxemburg Radio Symphony Orchestra
Pierre Cao, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West.

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 28 Apr 202616:00

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