Saint-Saens, Camille, << san SAHNS, ka MEE yuh >> (1835-1921), was a French composer. His most famous work is The Carnival of the Animals (1886) for two pianos and orchestra. His other major compositions include the Cello Concerto No. 1 (1873), the symphonic poem Danse Macabre (1874), the Piano Concerto No. 4 (1875), the opera Samson and Delilah (1877), and the chamber work Septet (1880).
Charles Camille Saint-Saens was born on Oct. 9, 1835, in Paris. He was a child prodigy, composing several pieces for piano by the age of 5 and making his debut as a pianist at the age of 10. In 1871, he helped found the Societe Nationale de Musique to encourage new French music. Under his leadership, the Societe introduced the works of such French composers as Claude Debussy, Vincent D’Indy, Gabriel Faure, and Cesar Franck. Saint-Saens was also an accomplished pianist and organist. He died on Dec. 16, 1921.
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