These two concertos—one a staple of the repertoire, the other almost unknown—share melodic richness and a Spanish influence. Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole reflects the quicksilver technique of its dedicatee, Pablo de Sarasate, in its ingenious and virtuosic passagework, with its moods and rhythms indelibly Iberian in feel. Joan Manén, in his day almost as famous as his fellow Catalan Pau Casals, was an admired virtuoso violinist and a prominent composer. His Concierto español, the first of three violin concertos, is suffused with technical demands, lyric warmth, and rhapsodic nostalgia. Soloist Tianwa Yang’s Sarasate recordings have received international acclaim.
Lalo, Édouard
Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21
1 I. Allegro non troppo 07:40
2 II. Scherzando: Allegro molto 04:04
3 III. Intermezzo: Allegretto non troppo 05:59
4 IV. Andante 07:04
5 V. Rondo: Allegro 07:57
Manén, Joan
Violin Concerto No. 1, "Concierto español", Op. A-7
6 I. Allegretto ben moderato 13:32
7 II. Lamento - Adagio ma non troppo 08:53
8 III. Allegro molto 07:46
Total Playing Time: 01:02:55
