Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921) was a French composer and this beautiful movement is from The Carnival of the Animals of 1886. The melody needs to be delivered with a legato tone and because of this and the melodic range it is an excellent piece for developing the tonal aspects of playing a musical instrument. Whilst the movement is particularly associated with the cello it is suited to being played by a number of different instruments and instrument combinations. The time signature indicates that there are 6 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the bar and these should be played as two groups of three. The harmonic language is very French in character sharing a subtlety that is also found in the music of his friend and pupil, the French composer Fauré. Pedalling in the piano part has not been indicated in the scores but does need to used and generally its use is governed by the harmonic rhythm of the movement. Like many French composers he was a very fine organist Many musical commentators suggest that Saint-Saens music is deserving of being explored for its high quality and variety. A baritone part appropriately transposed in the treble clef is appended to the full score. The music editor is interested in hearing from baritone horn players as to other keys options for this piece because available recordings suggest that there is more than one option. This version sounds in the key of Bb and utilizes the Sibelius tuba sound in the realisation. There are four accompaniments available playing at 75,72, 69 and 66 quarter note (crotchet) beats to the minute.
