Lalo Symphonie Espagnole Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No, 5, Saint-Saens Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso : Mintz, Mehta / Israel Philharmonic

Lalo: Symphony Espagnole, Op. 21
Vieuxtemps: Violin Concerto No. 5, Op. 37
Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28

Shlomo Mintz, violin
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Zubin Metha, conhductor

Recorded 10/1988 by DG

The works on this CD represent some of the finest for the violin to emerge from the French violin tradition - a tradition that stretches back some four centuries. From Louis XIII's 24 Violins du roi of 1626, through Lully and Leclair in the 18th century, and Rode, Kreutzer, de Beriot, Lalo, Vieuxtemps and Saint-Saens in the 19th.

Lalo's evergreen Symphonie Espagnole reflects his Spanish ancestry, and it is thought that he consulted the great Spanish virtuoso Pablo Sarasate during the composition of the work. It is a clever blend of symphony and concerto, Spanish colour, French effervescence and Germanic structure.

Vieuxtemps was a child prodigy, making his public debut at the age of 11 in 1831, and was compared to Paganini. He produced 7 violin concertos, and nos 4 and 5 have remained in the repertoire to this day. The 5th is innovative in dovetailing movements together - something Mendelssohn and Bruch would do later in their famous concertos.

Saint-Saens was another child prodigy, and a pianist of tremendous technique from an early age. He produced 5 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 2 cello concertos and 3 violin concertos and many other concertante works along with many operas a chamber works 'I live in music as a fish lives in water ' he once said. Polished, fluent with a truly memorable gift for a great tune, his Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso was written for the 19-year-old Sarasate in 1863. ( Brilliant Classics )