In 1878 Tchaikovsky wrote the following to his patron Nadejda von Meck: "Do you know the" Symphonie Espagnole "by the French composer Lalo. This piece was recently premiered by the very modern violinist Sarasate. The work gave me great pleasure. so pleasantly fresh and light, with spicy rhythms and beautifully harmonized melodies. (...) The young generation of French composers is very promising ".
Contrary to what its title suggests, Lalo's "Symphonie Espagnole" is more of a virtuoso suite for violin and orchestra than a symphony. Besides the Spanish culture of Lalo's ancestors, the music has also been influenced by the German culture that Lalo had acquired through studying chamber music by Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The "Violin Concerto No. 3 Op.61" by Camille Saint-Saens was also written for Pablo de Sarasate. Both concerts have been released on CD in a performance by violinist Chee-Yun and the London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jesús López-Cobos. (HJ)more
