Havanaise op. 83

In November 1885 Camille Saint-Saëns set out on a concert tour with the Cuban violinist Diaz Albertini which led him to the north of France on his way to Germany. On a cold and damp evening, the crackling of an open fire in a dreary hotel is supposed to have given him the melodic idea which he incorporated in his Havanaise two years later. He dedicated this composition to his companion Albertini. It was printed for the first time in 1888; the original piano part was orchestrated by the composer too. In the habanera, a Spanish dance of Cuban origin, the composer lets the violin indulge in beguiling melodies, but also gives the performers ample opportunity for a sparkling display of brilliant technique - a very effective bravura piece.