In 2006, a long-time ambition of Philip Sparke finally to write a set of variations on the famous chorale from Saint-Saëns' renowned Organ Symphony. In 2009 he reworked the piece for brass band. The resulting Saint-Saëns Variations has been simplified, shortened and in many places completely recomposed, to distill the essence of the symphony even further and allow younger bands to enjoy the power of Saint-Saëns' masterpiece in an approachable, yet essentially faithful, work.