① Lalo: Symphonie espagnole in D minor, Op. 21 ② Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61 ③ Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 Arthur Grumiaux (violin) Conductor: Manuel Rosenthal Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux Recorded: 1963 Arthur Grumiaux was a Belgian violinist. A student of Alfred Dubois, he is considered a central figure of the Franco-Belgian school of the 20th century. The Franco-Belgian school is a school of performance style passed down through the Paris Conservatory in France and the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in Belgium, originating with Giovanni Battista Viotti. In the 19th century, Pierre Baillot of France and Auguste de Bériot and Henri Vieuxtemps of Belgium expanded its style. Vieuxtemps, in particular, trained many disciples at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, including Eugène Ysaÿe. Grumiaux's teacher, Dubois, was a disciple of Ysaÿe, so Grumiaux is an heir to the Franco-Belgian school, which has been passed down and developed from Viotti. In today's increasingly globalized world, the term "school" is becoming obsolete, but the significance of listening to Grumiaux's performance is not small, even in the sense of knowing the example of the Franco-Belgian school's performance style when the term "school" still had substance. As works by 19th-century French composers, this is a repertoire considered to be the Franco-Belgian school's specialty. Rosenthal's accompaniment is generally straightforward, but the key points are solid. The performance seems to be left to the spontaneity of the performers, but they are careful not to interfere with Grumiaux's clean and beautiful solo. Lalo's Symphonie espagnole can quickly become trite if the vertical lines are not aligned, but the members of the Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, while seemingly free-spirited, align those vertical lines perfectly. Grumiaux's sharp solo also serves as the string that binds the orchestra's sound. The curious fusion of being carefree and serious is interesting, and a strange sense of groove subtly permeates the two Saint-Saëns works. This is an excellent performance that violin music lovers should definitely own. Japanese domestic edition [out of print], no obi, no scratches on the disc. 12 *We offer discounts for bulk purchases (please comment in advance)