Pablo Sarasate was born in Pamplona, Navarre, the son of an artillery bandmaster. At the beginning of his career, Sarasate performed opera fantasies (most notably the Carmen fantasy) and other pieces that he himself had composed. Most of his compositions ring with a Spanish flavor, and it was largely because of Sarasate that Spanish music gained great favor among the notable European composers of the day. George Bernard Shaw once said that though there were many composers of music for the violin, there were but few composers of violin music. But of Sarasate's talents, both as performer and composer, Shaw said that he "left criticism gasping miles behind him."
Romanza Andaluza is the first of two Spanish dances published as Op. 22. This piece is divided into two sections, the first section is a smooth, lyrical, and moderate-tempo folk dance; after the dramatic double stops glissando, the piece becomes fiery and highly expressive with lots of double stops. Like other Sarasate violin pieces, this piece was designed to show off the violinist’s virtuosity.Notes by John Craton
Classical Music | Violin Music
Pablo de Sarasate
Romanza andaluza, Op.22 Play
Recorded on 09/16/2015, uploaded on 05/16/2016
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Pablo Sarasate was born in Pamplona, Navarre, the son of an artillery bandmaster. At the beginning of his career, Sarasate performed opera fantasies (most notably the Carmen fantasy) and other pieces that he himself had composed. Most of his compositions ring with a Spanish flavor, and it was largely because of Sarasate that Spanish music gained great favor among the notable European composers of the day. George Bernard Shaw once said that though there were many composers of music for the violin, there were but few composers of violin music. But of Sarasate's talents, both as performer and composer, Shaw said that he "left criticism gasping miles behind him."
Romanza Andaluza is the first of two Spanish dances published as Op. 22. This piece is divided into two sections, the first section is a smooth, lyrical, and moderate-tempo folk dance; after the dramatic double stops glissando, the piece becomes fiery and highly expressive with lots of double stops. Like other Sarasate violin pieces, this piece was designed to show off the violinist’s virtuosity. Notes by John Craton
More music by Pablo de Sarasate
Navarra
Habanera, Op. 21, No. 2, from Three Spanish Dances
Airs écossais, Op. 34
Habañera, Op. 21, No. 2, from Three Spanish Dances
Zigeunerweisen, Op.20 (Gypsy Airs)
Zigeunerweisen, Op.20 (Gypsy Airs)
Zapateado, Op. 21, No. 6, from Three Spanish Dances
Playera
carmen Fantasy
Malagueña, Op. 21, No.1, from Three Spanish Dances
Performances by same musician(s)
Sonata for Violin in E-flat Major, Op. 18
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