The main theme of the 'Organ Symphony' finale was adapted into the 1977 pop song 'If I Had Words', which was later used in the films 'Babe' and 'Babe: Pig in the City'.
Compositional Technique
The 'Organ Symphony' is formally structured in two movements, though Saint-Saëns explained it contains the four traditional movements, linked to avoid 'interminable repeats'.
Composer Biography
Saint-Saëns's 'Organ Symphony' was actually his fifth completed symphony, despite being commonly referred to as his Third.
Composition History
Saint-Saëns originally planned to dedicate his 'Organ Symphony' to Franz Liszt, but after Liszt's death, the dedication was modified to 'in memory of Franz Liszt'.
Composition History
The 'Organ Symphony' was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society in London, a prestigious musical society that also commissioned Beethoven's Ninth and Mendelssohn's 'Italian' symphonies.
Composition History
Saint-Saëns composed his Symphony in F major, 'Urbs Roma', for a competition arranged by the Société Sainte-Cécile in Bordeaux, which he won, receiving a gold medal worth 300 francs.
Cultural Impact
The funeral march from Saint-Saëns's 'Urbs Roma' Symphony was incorporated into the 1908 silent film L'assassinat du Duc de Guise, making it the first original music specially designed to accompany a film.
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Gade: Symphonies
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4
Franck: Symphony D Minor / Saint-Saens: Symphony No. 3
Gade: Symphonies, Vol. 4: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 5
Gade, N.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2
Tchaikovsky: Symphonies No. 2 & 3
Hol: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 3
Hamerik, A.: Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2
Glazunov: Symphony No. 1 in E Major, Op. 5 / Symphony No. 6 in C Minor, Op. 58
