Le Cygne (The Swan)

Le Cygne

(The Swan)

Beautiful cello solo with lyrical melody. 

The second last movement of the Carnival of Animals Suite (1886) by Saint-Saens. 

Popular as a stand-alone piece.

Transcribed into many different versions with different instrumentation.

Wiki link here. 

Original Version - Cellos and Two Pianos
Surprisingly the original version is scored for
the unconventional combination of cellos and two pianos.

Gautier Capuçon, with Katia and Marielle Labeque - Solo Cello and Two Pianos (2010)

Played by leading exponents of the cello and two pianos respectively.

Yo-Yo Ma with Kathryn Stott - Cello and Piano (2015)

By the master of the cello.

Superb control of tone.

Clara Rockmore - Theremin (1977)

Unusual but appropriate alternative to the cello - the theremin,
the contactless musical instrument.

Sergei Rachmaninoff - Piano Solo (1924) (Siloti Transcription - 1924)
A special treat by this master of the modern romantic piano.
The melody is brought out clearly despite being sandwiched
between the bassline and upper register arpeggiated figures.






Shura Cherkassky - Piano Solo (1995) (Godowsky Transcription - 1927)
Transcribed by Godowsky for solo piano.
A beautiful transformation of the Swan.
Many hidden voices with interesting countermelodies, a signature of Godowsky.
Lush extended harmonies and suspensions without losing the essence of the original.
Played by the last of the romantic era pianists, with elegance and superb tone control.

Other interesting/unusual versions:

David Ren and Aaron Hsia - Harp and Violin (2016)