Le Carnaval des animaux was conceived in a small Austrian village, while Camille Saint-Saëns was working on his 3rd Symphony with organ, opus 78. Afraid that this humoristic fantasy could cause his oeuvre to be taken less seriously and harm his reputation, he forbade its being published during his lifetime.

“Grande Fantaisie zoologique” is composed of 14 movements and the instrumental ensamble of the original version included two pianos, two violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, glass harmonica [celesta] and xylophone. The Final is the only movement in which all instruments play together.

Lucien Garban , official arrenger arrangerof Éditions Durand, was responsible for numerous arrangements of the Carnaval des animaux, notably a version for solo piano that was realised in several stages but released in its entirety in 1951; while in 1922 realised the 4-hand piano transcription.

Introduction and notes on interpretation in French and English by Edmond Lemaître.

New engraving.