KASS Music Gem of the Day: Edouard Lalo Symphonie Espagnole Complete -- Henryk Szeryng

Jason Quintana's picture
Submitted by Jason Quintana on Mon, 2009-08-31 05:19

This is desert island material for me, and I just learned about this recording a few weeks ago when Ross was commenting on the Sarasate Zigeunerweisen that was posted here. This Lalo piece was an early favorite of mine. I was looking for a recording to show him and I eventually found this one. This piece is usually paired with the Zigeunerweisen on records, and the composer Lalo wrote the Symphonie Espagnole for that Spanish violinist Pablo Sarasate.

This is a classic recording that for some reason never made it to CD. Probably because the same label has a famous Heifetz recording from around the same time in their archives. Luckily someone did a very good rip from an old LP and posted it on Youtube. This version blows Heifetz, Perlman, Mutter and all of the rest right out of the water.






Thats a good call. Though

Jason Quintana's picture

Thats a good call. Though if you like the movement #4 there is no reason not to listen to the wonderfully light hearted Rondo Finale.

Quite a find, Jason ...

Lindsay Perigo's picture

Szeryng's playing is exquisite. Love the shot of the LP half-way out of the sleeve. All my early purchases were RCA Victor. This is a great work. I'd recommend folk take time to familiarise—but, to fast-track to value-swoon, go straight to Movement 4.

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