Gypsy Airs, Op. 20 (Zigeunerweisen Opus 20)

Following Paganini's death, numerous musicians strove to assume his position asthe “devil's violinist,” but none of them were able to do so as convincingly as the Spaniard Pablo de Sarasate. His unique violin technique enthralled the public right from the start. So it was no surprise that Sarasate composed highly virtuosic pieces for his own use. Composed in 1877, the “Gypsy Airs” are in the form of a broadly conceived Hungarian Csárdás, exhibiting all of the refinement of breakneck violin playing. They still present a challenge to all great violinists. We were able to win over a modernday sorcerer of the violin for our Urtext edition: Ingolf Turban, who provided fingerings and bowings.