Pablo de Sarasate (1844-1908) is one of the most important and successful violin virtuosos of the second half of the 19th century and has become immortal through his virtuoso and highly expressive bravura pieces in the world of violin playing. His concert programme mostly consisted of his own compositions, even if quite a few works had been dedicated to him by fellow composers and tailor-made for him: for example, 'Symphonie espagnole' by Lalo, 'Scottish Fantasia' by Bruch and violin works by Saint-Saëns and Wieniawski. In 'Caprice Basque' (Capricho vasco) Op. 24, Sarasate used Spanish folk tunes. He dedicated this piece to the composer, conductor and pianist Otto Goldschmidt, a pupil of Mendelssohn. This work is influenced by the typically dotted rhythm of the 'zortzico', a Basque dance in 5/8 meter - a virtuoso and rousing piece for virtuosos.

Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest
Series: EMB
Pages: 16
Composer(s): Pablo de Saraste
Arranger(s): Miklós Szenthelyi

With separate violin part.

Sarasate's popular arrangement and variations on themes from Bizet's Carmen are staples of the violin repertoire. This full-score version stands as the most affordable available and will allow both performers and listeners extra insight into this celebrated work.

Violin and Piano.

Following Paganini's death, numerous musicians strove to assume his position asthe devil's violinist, but none of them were able to do so as convincingly as the Spaniard Pablo de Sarasate. His unique violin technique enthralled the public right from the start. So it was no surprise that Sarasate composed highly virtuosic pieces for his own use. Composed in 1877, the Gypsy Airs are in the form of a broadly conceived Hungarian Csárdás, exhibiting all of the refinement of breakneck violin playing. They still present a challenge to all great violinists. We were able to win over a modernday sorcerer of the violin for our Urtext edition: Ingolf Turban, who provided fingerings and bowings.

In 1899, Sarasate composed one of his most popular, non-Spanish pieces, Introduction et Tarantella, Op. 43. Late Intermediate to Advanced Level.

No. 8 from Spanish Dances

Six original pieces and two transcriptions by the great violin master. Advanced Level.

When composing his Spanish Dances (HN 1370), the composer and violin virtuoso Sarasate united existing material - folk songs and songs by well-known composers - with his own uniquely charming musical language. The two Dances op. 22, Romanza andaluza and JotaNavarra, were completed in 1878 during Sarasate's first concert tour through Scandinavia. After their initial performances, the lyrical Romanza soon outstripped its brilliant sister piece in popularity, and thereafter it was one of Sarasate's compositions that he played most often himself. Since then, this piece has lost nothing of its charm, and it is now available as a stand-alone edition in the Henle catalogue.

Just like many other violin virtuosos of the 19th century, Pablo de Sarasate also composed a series of pieces for violin and piano (or orchestra) for his own concert use. Highly virtuosic salon pieces with echoes of national folk music traditions from all over Europe are at the centre. Sarasate published his eight Spanish dances in four books between 1878 and 1882. They alternate between fiery passion and a yearning expressiveness, and are undoubtedly among his most successful compositions. In masterly fashion, Sarasate here mixes up Spanish folk tunes with arrangements of popular compositions of the time. As in the case of the Henle Urtext edition of Sarasates Zigeunerweisen (HN 573), a violin wizard of our own time is responsible for the fingerings and bowings: Ingolf Turban.

Publisher: Simrock
Series: Boosey & Hawkes Chamber Music
Voicing: Violin
Pages: 24
Format: Violin Part Only
Composer(s): Pablo de Sarasate

Difficult level

Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest
Series: EMB
Pages: 10
Composer(s): Pablo de Sarasate
Arranger(s): (Szenthelyi)

Difficult level

Publisher: Editio Musica Budapest
Series: EMB
Pages: 12
Credits: (Szenthelyi)
Composer(s): Pablo de Saraste
Arranger(s): Miklós Szenthelyi

Habanera, Op.21; Romanza Andaluza, Op.22, No.3.