"The Swan" is the 13th and most famous movement from Camille Saint-Saëns' musical suite "The Carnival of the Animals." Composed in 1886, this elegant cello solo (often arranged for other instruments) depicts the graceful movement of a swan gliding across water. Interestingly, Saint-Saëns forbade public performance of the complete work during his lifetime, considering it frivolous, but allowed "The Swan" to be published and performed separately. It became one of his most beloved compositions, famously choreographed for Anna Pavlova's ballet solo "The Dying Swan."