Carmen Fantasy (Sarasate)

The Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25, by Pablo de Sarasate is a fantasy on themes from Bizet's Carmen for violin and piano or orchestra, composed in 1881. A version with piano accompaniment was published in 1882. It was dedicated to Joseph Hellmesberger.

The piece contains an adaptation of the Aragonaise, Habanera, an interlude, Seguidilla, and the Gypsy Dance. Sarasate chose specifically the music with a Spanish character. A performance takes approximately 12 minutes.

The Carmen Fantasy is one of Sarasate's best-known works and is often performed in violin competitions. Because of its delicate techniques and sanguineous passion inspired by the opera, it is considered to be one of the most challenging and technically demanding pieces for the violin.

Movements
The work consists of five movements. 1. Allegro moderato
 * After a short introduction by the orchestra, the violin plays material from the Aragonaise, the entr'acte to act 4. Techniques include glissando, flageolet and pizzicato.

2. Moderato
 * This movement uses material, extensively ornamented, from the Habanera from act 1 ("L'amour est un oiseau rebelle").

3. Lento assai
 * Carmen's mocking treatment of Zuniga in act 1 ("Tra la la ... Coupe-moi, brûle-moi") is the theme for this movement; it ends in a flageolet.

4. Allegro moderato
 * The Seguidilla from act 1 ("Près des remparts de Séville") is here with ornaments including pizzicato, trill, glissando.

5. Moderato
 * This movement is based on the scene at the beginning of act 2 where Carmen and her friends Frasquita and Mercédès are entertaining Zuniga and other officers ("Les tringles des sistres tintaient"). The most technically difficult movement of the five, it employs rapid, moving thirds; fast arpeggios which span the range of the instrument; and a final virtuoso tempo acceleration.

Orchestration
The orchestral version is scored for piccolo and 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, tambourine, harp and strings. There is also an adaptation of the Carmen Fantasy with piano accompaniment.

Selected recordings

 * Augustin Hadelich: Recuerdos - with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, conducted by Cristian Măcelaru
 * Hilary Hahn: Eclipse - with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada