Pablo de Sarasate- Playera

Pablo de Sarasate was a violinist and composer of the romantic period.  As a violinist he was regarded as a virtuoso, touring across europe performing his own compositions.  George Bernard Shaw, a contemporary critic of Sarasate , claimed Sarasate, in his performance and compositions,  “left criticism gasping miles behind him.”   Playera, often performed as an encore, as part of one of his two books of Spanish Dances- pieces designed aesthetically and as an exhibition for the performer’s talent. This piece screams spanish soap opera.  Its dramatic ups and downs, driven onward by the ostinato accompaniment, depict the stormy romance of two lovers.