A convergence of Baroque elegance, fiery Spanish rhythms and lush romanticism take center
stage for the second concert of the Masterworks season. Renowned violinist Giora Schmidt
joins the WCO to perform Édouard Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole,” a fiery violin concerto
inspired by the rhythms and melodies of Spain. Composed in 1874, “Symphonie Espagnole” is a
dazzling violin showcase inspired by the French composer’s fascination with Spanish culture
and music. Combining lush orchestration with rhythms and melodies evoking the vibrant spirit of
Spain, the piece is celebrated for its fiery energy, lyrical beauty and virtuosic demands. Opening
the concert is Alessandro Scarlatti’s “Sinfonie Di Concerto Grosso No. 2,” and concluding the
evening is “Symphony in A major,” a rarely performed early work by Camille Saint-Saëns.