Apasionado

A "Spanish" violin concerto

It has been remarked that when discussing French music, one could go on for hours without mentioning the name of Camille Saint-Saëns. Although he was a renowned composer, his music was not considered quintessentially French in the same manner as works by Fauré, Franck, or Debussy. This observation holds true for Édouard Lalo as well. Lalo's fame primarily rests on his violin concertos, particularly the Symphonie espagnole, which is more akin to a concerto than a symphony. The distinctly Spanish characteristics of this piece may be attributed to Lalo's ancestral Spanish roots, despite being born in Rijssel, Belgium (now Lille). However, Lalo's compositional output extended beyond concertos, encompassing operas (most notably Le Roi d'Ys) and a substantial body of chamber music, much like Saint-Saëns.

Nevertheless, it is the Symphonie espagnole, Opus 21 that remains Lalo's most renowned work, both during his time and today. Interestingly, this composition served as inspiration for Tchaikovsky, who, several years later, would compose his only violin concerto.