Camille Saint-Saëns, born in Paris in 1835, showed great interest in the Romantic movement, which was gaining influence in France at the time, from a young age. During his studies at the Paris Conservatoire from 1848 onward, Romanticism was already firmly established there, but Saint-Saëns reacted to these developments with some reservation. He was influenced by the now largely forgotten composer Henri Reber, whose style was characterized by an avoidance of unnecessary musical embellishment and which also influenced Saint-Saëns's works.
Following his Symphony in A major, Saint-Saëns composed the Symphony in E-flat major, which was shaped by his friendship with Gounod. The premiere in Paris in 1853 was a resounding success, captivating both Berlioz and Gounod and being hailed as a significant step forward. The composition impressed with its sophisticated structure and nuanced orchestration, which suggested a further artistic development on the part of the composer.
With his Third Symphony, Saint-Saëns demonstrated another shift in his style, prompted by a trip to Austria and a creative pause following his efforts on a new work. The short solo cello piece, Le cygne, later formed the basis for Le carnaval des animaux. However, this work was only published posthumously due to its humorous elements, as Saint-Saëns preferred not to have his lighthearted compositions performed during his lifetime.
For many years, Le carnaval des animaux remained known only within private circles, as humorous pieces of music found little favor in Germany, where Saint-Saëns worked as a pianist. The individual movements of the work are characterized by vivid scenes, subtle allusions, and a refined yet serious humor.