Carmen Fantasie

Carmen Fantasie (1946) is a virtuoso showpiece for violin and orchestra. The piece is part of Franz Waxman's score to the movie Humoresque. The music, based on various themes from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen, was initially meant to be played by Jascha Heifetz. However, he was replaced by a young Isaac Stern for the first recording of the score. Stern's hands can be seen in the close-up shots from the movie.

Related Topics:
1946 - Franz Waxman - Humoresque - Georges Bizet - Carmen - Jascha Heifetz - Isaac Stern

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The piece was immediately popular, and was recorded commercially by Stern and Heifetz the year of its release. Since then, it has been adapted for a variety of orchestral/chamber arrangements, such as a version for trumpet and orchestra, as well as violin and piano.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~