Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): A Thematic Catalogue of His Complete Works ensures an objective knowledge of the total musical creation of this extraordinary French musician. The catalogue, classified by genre chronologically, encompasses unpublished compositions, incomplete pieces, and posthumous publications among the c. 600 works listed. An introduction discusses the location of the sources consulted, Saint-Saëns's autographs, and his publishers. Each catalogue entry includes such information as the title and opus number of the composition and the opening theme of each movement; date, place, and circumstances of composition; dedication; instrumentation; location and description of autographs; publisher, plate number, date and place of publication; title page; all existent versions, arrangements, and transcriptions, their authors, publishers, date and plate number of publication; date and place of première and significant performances with names of the performers involved; references to the work in the mainly unpublished correspondence of Saint-Saëns; literature and unique details relevant to the particular work. This thematic catalogue (to be published ultimately in three volumes) provides an invaluable guide to Saint-Saëns for musicians, scholars, and students. It is an essential foundation for any study of the composer's signficance and music.

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Sabina Teller Ratner is at Université de Montréal.