Romantic / Late 19th-century French · 1886
The Swan (Carnival of the Animals)
C. Saint-SaënsR. 125 No. 13
- Key
- G
- Time
- 6/4
- Tempo
- ♩=60
- AO focus
- AO3
Incipit
Form
Cello solo + two pianos. Penultimate movement of the 14-piece zoological fantasy. Saint-Saëns suppressed publication of the entire suite during his lifetime — only 'The Swan' was allowed in print, on the grounds that it was 'serious enough' for his reputation.
Teaching points
- Cello cantabile — the swan's serene gliding across water, depicted by long-breathed phrases
- Two-piano accompaniment — the rippling water beneath the swan. Discuss texture
- AO3: programmatic depiction — match each musical gesture to the visual image
- Practical: top-tier cello recital piece. Grade 8 standard
Full score ↓Public domain
Score: IMSLP (Durand 1922 first complete edition, public domain via 95-year rule).