Camille Saint-Sa^D"ens 1835-1921: A Thematic Catalogue of his Complete Works. Volume I: The Instrumental Works: 01 (Camille Saint-Saens) - Tapa dura

... an excellent read ... an extraordinary insight into this exceptionally prolific composer ... I read it at the piano, playing the examples, and emerged with a clearer picture of the man than any biography could provide. (Music & Letters)

The book can be recommended wholeheartedly to libraries above all ... excellent contribution to scholarship in a series that is to be applauded for its fostering of a vital approach to composers' works. (Music & Letters)

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): A Thematic Catalogue of His Complete Works ensures an objective knowledge of the total musical creation of this extraordinary French musician. The catalogue, classified by genre chronologically, encompasses unpublished compositions, incomplete pieces, and posthumous publications among the c. 600 works listed. An introduction discusses the location of the sources consulted, Saint-Saëns's autographs, and his publishers.

Each catalogue entry includes such information as the title and opus number of the composition and the opening theme of each movement; date, place, and circumstances of composition; dedication; instrumentation; location and description of autographs; publisher, plate number, date and place of publication; title page; all existent versions, arrangements, and transcriptions, their authors, publishers, date and plate number of publication; date and place of première and significant performances with names of the performers involved; references to the work in the mainly unpublished correspondence of Saint-Saëns; literature and unique details relevant to the particular work.

This thematic catalogue (to be published ultimately in three volumes) provides an invaluable guide to Saint-Saëns for musicians, scholars, and students. It is an essential foundation for any study of the composer's signficance and music.