Composed in 1858, when Camille Saint-Saënswas 23, this is the first of his five piano concerti, and the first piano concerto by a French composer (so I’m led to believe…).
It has three movements, as is traditional, and opens with an arpeggio theme in the horns (mildly Wagnerian) including off stage horns echoing the theme, before getting underway with a joyous Allegro assai.
The slow movement – Andante sostenuto quasi adagio – is in G minor and quite mysterious with its syncopated and low pitched strings, followed by a long, gentle piano melody.
The finale – Allegro con fuoco – is somehow even more joyous than the opening.
Well worth a good listen – perhaps even try playing it.
The Listening Project Blog 