When Saint-Saens composed his ‘Grand Zoological Fantasy,’ early in 1886, he had no intention of offering the work to the public; he simply thought to provide an entertainment for his friends at Carnival time and he even specifically prohibited of his it until after his own death, excepting only this, the beautiful penultimate section of the suite.

The Swan is by far the most well known movement of the suite due to it being a staple of cellists. It is often performed solo and is used to showcase the interpretive skills of the musician. This lushly romantic melody, which evokes the swan elegantly gliding over the water, is played over rippling sixteenths and rolled chords to represent the swan's feet, hidden from view beneath the water, propelling it along.

Little more than two months after the composer's death, and The Carnival of the Animals quickly became one of Saint-Saens's most popular works.

Approximate Performance Duration: 3' 00"

Skill Level: Challenging

Instrumentation
Percussion 1:Vibraphone
Percussion 2:Marimba
Percussion 3:Marimba
Percussion 4:Crotales

ISMN: 979-0-708127-36-9