Havanaise, Op.83 : Study Score

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-Sans 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 Thtre du Chtelet 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-Sans by Albertini who was of Cuban descent. This new edition by Richard W. Sargeant, Jr. shows the brilliance of one of Saint-Sans most popular and beloved solo works.