Suite for 2 pianos, flute (doubling piccolo), clarinet, glass harmonica, xylophone, 2 violins, viola, cello and double bass. Facsimile reproduction of the autograph manuscript held in the Department of Music of the Bibliothèque nationale de France (sigla: Ms. 2456 (1-14)). Introduction by Marie-Gabrielle Soret in French with English translation. Includes bibliographical references.
Summary:
"The collection 'De main de maître' showcases the facsimiles of the most prestigious scores of the Music Department of the National Library of France. Dedicated to the autograph manuscript of Camille Saint-Saëns famous Carnival of the animals (1835-1921), this volume sheds a distinctive light on the musician's personality. Completed in February 1886, The Carnival of the Animals was created for friends and performers close to Saint-Saëns and was performed about fifteen times between 1886 and 1894 to a small audience. Because Saint-Saëns feared that his 'zoological fantasy' would damage his reputation, the work was published in its entirety only after his death. Since then, its immense popularity has continued to grow, so much so that it is now enjoyed by music lovers and the general public alike. Presented by Marie-Gabrielle Soret, the facsimile includes the fourteen pieces of The Carnival of the Animals. It reveals the composer's handwriting, all the performance directions as he noted them, but also to the playful animal drawings with which he decorated his score--a fish for 'Aquarium,' the skeleton of a dinosaur for 'Fossiles,' the pale blue pencil silhouette to illustrate the famous 'Swan'"--Dust jacket.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.