Finale from Symphony No.3 in C minor (“Organ”)

The Third Symphony of Saint-Saëns - commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society and first performed in London in 1886 - is distinguished above all by the splendidly sonorous role played by the organ. Known informally as the “Organ” Symphony, it does not, however, put too much emphasis on the so-called “king of instruments.” The organ is excluded from both the first and the third of the four movements, while in the second it does little more than add a church-like aura to the sentiment expressed in the lovely main theme. It is most prominently profiled in the last movement, where it makes its presence unmistakably felt in the opening bars. But it is not the only unusual instrumental feature here. Also heard at an early stage is the sound of a piano played by four hands in delicate accompaniment to a gentle melody on the strings which is then taken up in contrastingly thunderous terms by the organ. This finale, which refers back to events in earlier movements of the work, is experienced to best advantage in its symphonic context. Its glorification of the organ and orchestra is so impressive, however, that it makes a highly effective ending in any context.

R.A.