Le Carnaval des Animaux (Carnival of the Animals) - Piano Solo Transcription

Le Carnaval des animaux was conceived in a small Austrian village, while Camille Saint-Saens was working on his 3rd symphony with organ, opus 78. Afraid that this humoristic fantasy could cause his oeuvre to be taken less seriously and harm his reputation, he forbade its being published during his lifetime. Grande Fantaisie zoologique is composed of 14 movements and the instrumental ensemble of the original version included two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, glass harmonica (celesta) and xylophone. The Final is the only movement in which all instruments play together.

Lucien Garban, official arranger of Editions Durand, was responsible for numerous arrangements of the Carnaval des animaux, notably a version for solo piano that was realised in several stages but released in its entirety in 1951; the 4-hand piano transcription was realised in 1922.

Introduction and notes on interpretation in French and English by Edmond Lemaitre. New engraving.