Carmen Fantasy, op. 25
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 >>>