Saint-Saëns' magnificent Finale from Symphony No.3 (widely known as the 'Organ Symphony') has here been arranged for brass band with optional organ by Kevin Norbury. It was recorded by The International Staff Band on its CD Manuscripts, although this version has been revised in places.
 
Saint-Saëns decided to add the organ and piano to his 3rd symphony as a pragmatic orchestration innovation. The composition of this symphony was probably started in 1885 and a first draft was completed in Prague in 1886.
 
Saint-Saëns later recalled its eventful genesis: ‘The Symphony in C was three-quarters sketched out when I found it impossible to write the finale. I did not know how to resolve this situation, until one night I suddenly woke up and, in a sort of hallucination, I heard the whole finale, which I hastily wrote down in outline, knowing that if I went back to sleep without having put anything on paper, I would have forgotten it all the next day.’
 
The symphony was first performed under the composer’s direction at Saint James’s Hall in London on May 19, 1886.
 
This arrangement by Kevin Norbury can both function as a stand-alone brass band piece, and be performed with an organ by omitting the notes found in square brackets in the parts and score.
 
To view a rolling score video please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlUd_FppBY8
 
PDF download includes score and parts. Additional parts (Horn in F and Baritone, Trombone, Euphonium & Tuba in Bass Clef) available here.
 
Sheet music available from:
UK - www.brassband.co.uk
USA - www.cimarronmusic.com
 
Difficulty Level: 1st Section +
Length: 8.30 minutes
 
Instrumentation:
Soprano Cornet Eb
Solo Cornet Bb
Repiano Cornet Bb
2nd Cornet Bb
3rd Cornet Bb
Flugel Horn Bb
Solo Horn Eb
1st Horn Eb
2nd Horn Eb
1st Baritone Bb
2nd Baritone Bb
1st Trombone Bb
2nd Trombone Bb
Bass Trombone
Euphonium Bb
Bass Eb
Bass Bb
Timpani
Glockenspiel
Percussion 
Organ (optional)