大象传媒

Donald Macleod explores Saint-Sa毛ns鈥檚 birth in Paris and his childhood as a stunningly gifted musical prodigy.

Camille Saint-Sa毛ns once said, 鈥淚 produce music as an apple tree produces apples.鈥� In his day, that fruit was gobbled up all across Europe where the composer was acclaimed as the greatest of all French musicians. Liszt called him the greatest organist in the world. Yet in France, and in his home city of Paris, he was not always so highly regarded, despite his strong bond with his homeland. Throughout this week, as we mark the centenary of his death, Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Saint-Sa毛ns, charting the changing relationship with France of one of the greatest musicians that the country has ever produced.

In Monday鈥檚 episode, Donald explores Saint-Sa毛ns鈥檚 early life in a city which was rapidly becoming the cultural capital of the world, despite the political volatility that gave rise to two revolutions.

Samson and Delilah, Op 47 - Bacchanale
New York Philhamonic
Leonard Bernstein (conductor)

Le Soir
Fran莽oise Masset (soprano)
Nicolas Stavy (piano)

Piano Quintet in A minor, Op 14 鈥� III. Presto
Cristina Ortiz (piano)
Fine Arts Quartet

Le muse et la poete, Op 132
Joshua Bell (violin)
Steven Isserlis (cello)
NDR Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach (conductor)

Piano Trio No 2 in E minor, Op 92 鈥� I. Allegro non troppo
Renaud Capu莽on (violin)
Edgar Moreau (cello)
Bertrand Chamayou (piano)

Symphony in F major 鈥淯rbs Roma鈥� 鈥� II. Molto Vivace
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Jean-Jacques Kantorow (conductor)

Producer: Sam Phillips