Lalo: Symphonie espagnole, Op. 21 - de Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20

It’s immediately clear from the brief orchestral introduction and fiery solo violin entry that this is going to be a Symphonie espagnole with bags of heart and abundant personality. Anne-Sophie Mutter soars and swoops in the work’s first movement, in full command of Lalo’s fiendishly tricky solo lines and equally in tune with the music’s sultry soul. She is supported all the way by Seiji Ozawa and the Orchestra National de France, who revel in the exotic colors and bold gestures of this concerto in all but name. Despite the musicmaking’s serious intent, there’s no shortage of playfulness, strikingly so in the Symphonie’s “Scherzando” and spellbinding “Rondo” finale and once again in Zigeunerweisen. Spatial Audio remastering adds to the presence of this superb recording.