Serenade in E-flat major (Saint-Saëns)

Camille Saint-Saëns' Serenade in E flat major, Op. 15 (French: Sérénade en mi bémol majeur) is a chamber composition for a quartet consisting of piano, organ, violin, viola (or cello) composed in 1865. It is one of the earliest works by the composer making use of an organ (or harmonium) in a chamber ensemble, preceded only by the Six Duos for harmonium and piano, Op. 8.[1] In addition to the original scoring the work has been transcribed for orchestra, piano solo, piano four-hands and for piano quartet, with a cello taking the part of the organ.[2][3]

Background

Composition of the Serenade began in 1865 and was completed by May of that year with publication, dedicated to Princess Mathilde Bonaparte Demidoff who in 1860 had exempted Saint-Saëns from military service, following shortly afterwards.[2][4] The first performance did not however take place until the following year when it was performed at a soirée held by the Prince of Hohenzollern on 7 January 1866. On that occasion the organ was played by the composer, while Julian Sauzay played the piano.[4] The Serenade was performed twice more in 1866, the third performance being attended by Hector Berlioz, Charles Gounod and Franz Liszt.[2]

Structure

The composition is structured as a single movement marked Allegretto tranquillo, quasi andantino.[2] Performance time is around 6 to 7 minutes.

References
Notes
  1. (Smith 1992, p. 62)
  2. (Smith 1992, p. 309)
  3. (Payne 1964, p. 446)
  4. (Smith 1992, p. 81)
Sources
  • Payne, Donald Ian (1964). The major chamber works of Camille Saint-Saëns (D.M.A.). University of Rochester. hdl:1802/27360.
  • Smith, Rollin (1992). Saint-Saëns and the Organ. Pendragon Press. ISBN 978-0-945193-14-2.


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