Now that’s full of verve! Stravinsky draws on the full range of the symphony orchestra to create the vivid colours of his tale of the Firebird.
And with the *Symphonie espagnole*, Édouard Lalo paints a vivid portrait of Spain, the land of his dreams. However, when Lalo gave his latest composition this title in 1875, he was greatly understating the case. The *Symphonie espagnole* is not ‘merely’ a symphony: it is one of the most virtuosic concertante works in the entire violin repertoire. The dedication alone speaks volumes: Lalo, a great admirer of Spain, composed this fireworks display of rich orchestral colours, folkloric fervour and technical challenges for the violinist of the century, Pablo de Sarasate. A labour of love for María Dueñas, who won the Menuhin Competition with this piece in 2021, kick-starting her meteoric rise to fame. With passion at her side: the Filarmónica Joven de Colombia, which brings together Colombia’s finest young musicians to form a fantastic ensemble.
Filarmónica Joven de Colombia; Andrés Orozco-Estrada – conductor; María Dueñas – violin
Édouard Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D minor, Op. 21; Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird. Suite (1919) (Source: KTK Heinersdorff)
