Saint-Saëns wrote the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso for Spanish violinist, Pablo Sarasate in 1863 but it was not published until 1870. However, Sarasate frequently programmed it in his concert engagements, making it popular enough that both Georges Bizet and Claude Debussy made arrangements of it.
The slow introduction, marked Andante malinconico ("melancholy"), becomes gradually more animated and ends in a mini-cadenza that opens the Rondo. The syncopated theme stated by the violin has a distinct Spanish flavor, and features huge leaps and brilliant arpeggios. The piano plays a jubilant fortissimo interlude before the violin jumps in to lead the music into a lyrical 2/4 section with a beautiful, singing melody. The rondo resumes, and once again the piano plunges into the fortissimo interlude. The violin then leads us into another even sweeter and more tender melodic section. After the final statement of the rondo theme, the violin plays a suspenseful triple-stop passage, and then the brilliant and dazzling coda finishes the work, a fitting ode to Sarasate's virtuosity. Karina Canellakis
Classical Music | Violin Music
Camille Saint-Saëns
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 Play
Recorded on 02/02/2011, uploaded on 07/21/2011
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Saint-Saëns wrote the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso for Spanish violinist, Pablo Sarasate in 1863 but it was not published until 1870. However, Sarasate frequently programmed it in his concert engagements, making it popular enough that both Georges Bizet and Claude Debussy made arrangements of it.
The slow introduction, marked Andante malinconico ("melancholy"), becomes gradually more animated and ends in a mini-cadenza that opens the Rondo. The syncopated theme stated by the violin has a distinct Spanish flavor, and features huge leaps and brilliant arpeggios. The piano plays a jubilant fortissimo interlude before the violin jumps in to lead the music into a lyrical 2/4 section with a beautiful, singing melody. The rondo resumes, and once again the piano plunges into the fortissimo interlude. The violin then leads us into another even sweeter and more tender melodic section. After the final statement of the rondo theme, the violin plays a suspenseful triple-stop passage, and then the brilliant and dazzling coda finishes the work, a fitting ode to Sarasate's virtuosity. Karina Canellakis
More music by Camille Saint-Saëns
Allegretto Moderato, from Sonata No. 1 in d minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 75
Sonata No. 1 in d minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 75
The Swan for cello and piano
Cello Concerto no.2 op.119. 1.mv.Allegro moderato e maestoso,Andante sostenuto
Cello Concerto no.2.op.119. 2.mv.Allegro non troppo
Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Sonata No. 1 in d minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 75
Piano Concerto No. 2 in g minor, Op. 22
Carnival of the Animals The Swan
Havanaise, Op. 83
Performances by same musician(s)
Violin Sonata in B-flat major, KV 454
Sonata for Violin solo, “Ballade" in d minor, Op.27, No. 3
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.