Le Cygne

 
Arrangement of Le Cygne by Saint-Saëns for piano and cello.  
Level: Intermediate. 
🎧 Listen to 30s audio sample

About this Arrangement:
The lucky 13th movement from The Carnival of the Animals, Le Cygne, or The Swan is one of the most beautiful. It is originally score for solo Cello, with a couple of pianos thrown into the mix. I have gone out of my way to make it slightly more graceful, with just the one piano. Less lifting, less chance of back issues and more andantino grazioso, which means slowly and gracefully. Hardly a chance that two pianos would participate in the synchronised swimming at a high level. Not graceful. The “swan song” is based on the ancient Greek legend of the swan remaining mostly silent during its life, but singing its most beautiful song just before death. Saint-Saëns did not see the Carnival of the Animals as a serious work, but rather through a light-hearted, humorous lens. During his life, prohibiting public performances of the full work, only allowing “The Swan” to be published and performed. The piano part has been altered slightly, however, not enough to be considered a reimagination of the work.