Playwright and music critic George Bernard Shaw wrote of Pablo de Sarasate that he "left criticism miles behind him," and by all contemporary accounts the Spanish violin virtuoso was unique. In this week's featured recording violinists Gil Shaham and Adele Anthony pay homage to the great Sarasate with a collection of his most outstanding works.
Sarasate contributed no less than 54 published scores. He took particular interest in the field of opera, arranging melodies from works by Gounod, Weber and Mozart, among many others. Opening this recording is a magnificent performance of Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy, folding together the themes of Bizet's beloved tale of love and betrayal.
Our quick pick this week is baritone Thomas Hampson's second installment of his Song of America series, Wondrous Free.