Havanaise (Saint-Saëns)

The Havanaise in E major (French: Havanaise en mi majeur), Op. 83, is a composition for violin and orchestra based on the habanera rhythm, written in 1887 by French composer, Camille Saint-Saëns for Cuban violinist Rafael Diaz Albertini.[1][2] It is one of the standards of the classical concertante repertoire.

Structure

The composition consists of a single multi-tempo movement marked Allegretto lusinghiero – Allegro – Tempo primo – Allegretto – Allegro non troppo – Più Allegro – Allegretto – Lento and lasts around ten minutes in performance.

In popular culture

A minor variation on "Havanaise," as well as the original piece, make up the main theme of the film The Ninth Gate.[3] A brief segment is played many times on the sound track of Rainer Fassbinder's film Effi Briest. The initial phrase also supplies the melody to the popular song Sugartime by Charles Phillips and Odis Echols.

References

Notes

1. (Roeder 2003, p. 288)
2. (Rosman 2000)
3. "The Ninth Gate (1999) - Soundtracks". Retrieved 22 September 2016.

Sources

• Roeder, Michael Thomas (2003). A History of the Concerto. Amadeus Press. ISBN 0931340616.
• Rosman, Carl (2000). Liner Notes to Eloquence 4666822, The Best of Saint-Saëns. Universal Music Group.

External links

• Havanaise, Op.83 (Saint-Saëns, Camille): Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• "Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921): Havanaise in E major for Violin and Orchestra Op. 83. (1887)". Portobello Orchestra. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
• "Program Notes - November 28, 2010". Derwent Symphony Orchestra. 2010. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
• Anderson, Don (2006). "Program Notes - Symphonic Dances". Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
• Mack, Linda (1999). "Carla Trynchuk, violin; Carmen Roberts, piano December, 1999 Concert Tour to India". Retrieved 22 September 2016.
• "Havanaise, Op. 83". YouTube. 21 June 2009. Retrieved 22 September 2016. Saint-Saëns, Havanaise, Op. 83. Performed by Mohamed Harb and the Cairo Symphony Orchestra.
• "Havanaise, Op. 83". YouTube. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2017. Saint-Saëns, Havanaise, Op. 83. Performed by Liviu Prunaru and an unnamed pianist.