Saint-Saens’s music was never really loved during his lifetime, and, except for a few famous compositions like Carnival of the Animals, many of his works are seldom performed, even in his home country of France. Following a parabola common to many human beings, Saint-Saens was a revolutionary in his youth, and a conservatory in his adulthood. French music is much indebted to him, perhaps more than musicians today are willing to admit. He was too talented a musician to compose carelessly, to indulge in easy-to-please melodies. He was also a formidable pianist, and wrote many pieces for his favorite instrument. Here, some of his rarer works are performed by Mario Patuzzi. Patuzzi has led a long and exciting career of performing as well as teaching. He holds a full professorship at the Como Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in addition to his recording and performing duties.
