Saint-Saens

[Ed Thomas]

Is the piece "Le Cygne"  (The Swan) by Sain-Saens originally a piano piece?  I have a 1959 edition of The Scribner Music Library that includes it, but doesn't say 'arranged' or anything.  My copy of Groves doesn't list it as piano, and I vaguely recall it being part of the orchestral suite "Le Carnaval de animaux" (listed in Groves), but I haven't heard that in a long time so I'm not sure.

[comme_le_vent]

the swan was originally part of that suite, i think it was for cello and piano mainly.
its obviously a popular tune, so many people have made simple arrangement s to play for fun.

but godowsky composed a superb transcription for solo piano - it has lots of countermelodies and chromatics, etc.

when played well(ie - by stephen hough) this piece can be indescribably beautiful.

[ravel]

ya i know, i have heard the godowsky transcription, played by another pianist though, i think wibi soerjadi or something, havent reallyheard of him, but the piece sounded really amazing.

[nad]

Yes, Le Cygne is part of Le Carnaval des Animaux and was originally written for cello and piano.
Godowsky made the most beautiful pianotranscription of it.
And i'm glade someone mentions Wibi Soerjadi here!!!   He plays it soooo beautiful!!
If anyone is interested i can send the recording (it's rather large though!!)