Saint-Saëns Symphony No.3, Organ Symphony

Classical Music / Symphony

Camille Saint-Saëns's Symphony No.3 "Organ symphony" is first performed in London on May 19, 1886, at St. James's Hall in London, conducted by the composer himself.

Commissioned by England's Royal Philharmonic Society, Camille Saint-Saëns's Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, popularly known as "Organ Symphony" was completed by the composer in 1886, considered the best time of his career life. Although nicknamed "Organ symphony" it is not a true symphony for organ, but an orchestral symphony where two sections out of four use the pipe organ.

Movements:  Adagio - allegro moderato - allegro moderato

The composer inscribed it as: Symphonie No. 3 "avec orgue" (with organ).  

While the first movement opens with a slower introduction, and later a more lyrical melody, the second movement begins with a scherzo-like transformation which is tempestuous, and later in the movement, a powerful theme in the trombones, tuba and basses. A mighty chord from the organ "announces the approaching triumph of calm and soaring thoughts. In the third movement, the Allegro moderato theme returns. The symphony displays various moods as it contains many kinds of music, sometimes romantic and intimate, and another time, grandiose... at all times, spectacular. 

As quoted in David Dubal's The Essential Canon of Classical Music, Saint-Saëns said, "I gave everything to it I was able to give. What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again."
After the death of his friend Franz Liszt on 31 July 1886, Saint-Saëns dedicated this work to Liszt's memory.

Related Link:

 

Saint-Saëns - Symphony No. 3: "Organ Symphony." YouTube, uploaded by TheWickednorth. Accessed May 19,  2016.


Trivia: 

The final movement (Maestoso) of Camille Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 "Organ Symphony"was adapted in the movie Babe as the theme song "If I Had Words" (lyrics by Jonathan Hodge), sung by Hoggett near the film's end, and also recurring throughout the film's score.(Accessed June 3, 2018.) It was originally performed by Scott Fitzgerald and Yvonne Keeley in 1977.


Video Credit:

Camille Saint-Saëns Symphony No 3 in C minor, Op 78 'Organ'. YouTube, uploaded by Classical Vault 1. Accessed May 19, 2016.

 

Resources:

Camille Saint-Saëns quoted in David Dubal, The Essential Canon of Classical Music, New York, 2003, p. 337.
 
Latham, Alison, Ed. (2002).  The Oxford Companion to Music. Oxford University Press.



(c)  May 19, 2016. Updated May 19, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.