Phaeton by Camille Saint-Saens, Op 39. Max McBride conducting the Sydney Youth Orchestra - http://syo.com.au The symphonic poem Phaéton (1873) by Camille Saint-Saëns is based on the ancient Greek myth with the same title. To prove to his critics that he is truly the son of Helios, Phaéton asks his father permission to drive the Sun Chariot for one day. Because of certain former promises, Helios has to grant Phaéton the requested permission, which he does reluctantly, because it is a major task to control the sun. Phaéton soon experiences the consequences of his youthful audacity. He is unable to hold the wild horses, carrying the sun too close to the earth. Thus, as a side note in this story, the origination of the Sahara and the skin color of the Ethiopians is explained. Finally, Zeus intervenes. The king of the gods brings Phaéton's unfortunate ride to an end by hitting him with his lightning, causing Phaéton to crash down into the river Eridanus. His passing away is lamented by the nymphs of the river, who bury him. http://www.exmusica.org/archives/197/phaeton-by-camille-saint-saens Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (9 October 1835 -- 16 December 1921) was a French Late-Romantic composer, organist, conductor, and pianist. He is known especially for The Carnival of the Animals, Danse macabre, Samson and Delilah, Piano Concerto No. 2, Cello Concerto No. 1, Havanaise, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and his Symphony No. 3 (Organ Symphony). Source: en.wikipedia.org Famous recording of Phaeton include: Charles Dutoit, Philharmonia Orchestra of London Christian Badea, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Murray Emmanuel Krivine, Lyon National Orchestra, Michael Matthes Seiji Ozawa, Orchestre National de France, Philippe Lefebvre General Information Work Title: Phaeton, Op.39. Composer: Saint-Saëns, Camille. Opus/Catalogue Number: Op.39. Movements/Sections: 1. Year/Date of Composition: 1873. First Performance: 1875-12-07, Paris. First Publication: 1875. Dedication: Madame Berthe Pochet née de Tinam. Piece Style: Romantic. Instrumentation: Orchestra. Piccolo, 2 flutes (also piccolos), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon (ad lib.) 2 horns (nat.), 2 horns (chrom.), 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, 4 timpani (3 players), cymbals, bass drum, tam tam, 2 harps, violins, violas, cellos, double basses. The complete score of Phaéton can be freely downloaded at IMSLP http://imslp.org/wiki/Pha%C3%A9ton,_Op.39_(Saint-Sa%C3%ABns,_Camille) Sydney Youth Orchestra Flagship ensemble is the pinnacle of the SYO family, comprising of a symphony orchestra of 80 of Sydney's finest players up to age 24. SYO performs concerts of the highest quality that match those of any orchestras in Australia. Programs are broad ranging, covering the Classical, Romantic and 20th Century traditions, as well as new works of contemporary Australian repertoire. http://syo.com.au Recorded live on 18 March 2012 at Sydney Town Hall, Sydney, Australia. Audio courtesy of the Sy