Havanaise, Op.83

Written in 1887 for the violinist Raphael Diaz Albertini with whom he was touring, was inspired by the popping sound of the fire. Originally for Violin and Piano, Saint-Saëns orchestrated it the following year. Despite being originally composed for Albertini, the premiere with orchestra was given instead by Martin-Pierre Marsick on January 7, 1894 in Paris at the Théâtre du Châtelet with the Colonne orchestra conducted by Edouard Colonne. The havanaise (or habaera) is a Cuban dance based on African rhythms and was likely introduced to Saint-Saëns by Albertini who was of Cuban descent. This new edition by Richard W. Sargeant, Jr. shows the brilliance of one of Saint-Saëns most popular and beloved solo works.