Spanish Violinist & Composer Pablo de Sarasate Died On This Day in 1908

Spanish violinist and composer Pablo de Sarasate died on this day in 1908, from chronic bronchitis - aged 64

Sarasate proved to be a musical talent from an early age and gave his first performance at the age of eight. He went on to continue studies at the Paris Conservatory and began concert tours in 1859 that brought him much acclaim. Sarasate distinguished himself with his purity in tone and flawless technique that was effortless. Many prominent composers wrote pieces for him, including Camille Saint-Saëns, Max Bruch, Édouard Lalo, and Antonín Dvorak.

Remembered as one of the most celebrated virtuosi of the 19th Century, he premiered a number of violin repertoire cornerstones, including: Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole, Saint-Saens' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso and 3rd Violin Concerto, Bruch's Scottish Fantasy, Wieniawski's 2nd Violin Concerto, and a large body of his own bravura works, including: Carmen Fantasy, Zigeunerweisen, Zapateado, Introduction et Tarantella, Malagueña y Habanera and Romanza Andaluza.

By the end of his life, Sarasate was in possession of two Stradivarius violins, one given by the Paris Conservatoire and the other the Conservatory of Madrid.

SARASATE | ZIGEUNERWEISEN | VC ARTIST FRANCISCO FULLANA & JP JOFRE | VIOLIN CHANNEL VANGUARD CONCERTS SERIES 2