

Sarasate was one of the preëminent violinists of the nineteenth century. Born in Pamplona, Spain, he studied there early on before attending the Paris Conservatory, and then embarking upon a life of world-wide touring. The dedicatee of numerous compositions for violin by some of the luminaries of the world’s composers, he composed many light pieces for himself. He was not a violinist of the dramatic and fiery ilk, but a rather a light and effortless performer that some would characterize as of the “salon” variety. He had a silky and formidable technique, and apparently played with a superbly confident, but rather detached emotion. Wildly popular at the time, Sarasate left a legacy for present day virtuoso violinists in the form of a wealth of highly entertaining salon pieces. They include the evergreen Zigeunerweisen and the Concert Fantasies--of which that on tunes from Bizet’s opera, Carmen, is still a concert favorite. Like all of his compositions, it’s practically a compendium of dazzling violinist’s feats, not to speak of an entertaining treat, to boot.
--Wm. E. Runyan
©2020 William E. Runyan