Le Cygne, or The Swan, is the penultimate movementof Camille Saint-Saëns’ 1886 suite, Carnivalof the Animals. Most often played as a solo piece for cello with piano,the original version was scored for solo instrument and two pianos. It was the only movement for the Carnivalthat the composer allowed to be heard in public during his lifetime. Thisversion for Alto Saxophone with Pianoaccompaniment has been arranged to best suit the key and pitch of the soloinstrument. The pdf file contains both the piano accompaniment and the separatesolo part.

Musicians at an intermediate level and above willfind this ideal for formal and informal performances. The melody is expressiveand legato; the piano accompaniment is challenging in its constant semiquaverarpeggios. The overall performance time is around three minutes. The linked full-length youtube performance is the Clarinet version of this arrangement.

Teacherswill enjoy using this arrangement as a fun way to help with expressive playing.The legato in both parts demand precise fingers.