Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole, Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3

Description

James Ehnes' tribute to Pablo de Sarasate: the pinnacle of violin!Pablo de Sarasate, born in Spain, became a violin virtuoso from the age of twelve. The child prodigy was sent to the Paris Conservatory and spent the rest of his life in Paris. A highly sought-after soloist, even internationally, he was the dedicatee of a large number of important concertos by composers ranging from Max Bruch to Henryk Wieniawski. Lalo's Symphonie espagnole was composed for Sarasate, who premiered it in Paris in 1875. The work consists of five movements and is full of Spanish themes, rhythms, and influences, which were very popular in France at that time. Also composed for Sarasate, Saint-Saëns' third violin concerto was written in 1880. With a clear and refined style, the work remains the most performed of his three violin concertos. The album ends with Sarasate's fantasy on Bizet's Carmen - a virtuosic tour de force for the soloist, brilliantly performed here by James Ehnes.