In 1873, the year before writing Symphonie espagnole, Lalo composed another work for the great Spanish violinist Sarasate – his Concerto in F, fated to remain neglected in the shadow of its popular companion-piece. Given pride of place on this CD, however, we can hear that it’s well worth reviving; the first movement, with its fascinating tonal scheme based on dramatic alternations of minor and major, is particularly impressive. Jean-Jacques Kantorow, one of today’s most individual players, has the measure of Lalo’s Sarasate-inspired violin-writing – he’s able to toss off the virtuoso passagework in a seemingly effortless manner and his distinctive tone lends a sensuous allure to Lalo’s melodies. The Granada orchestra gives spirited support; one can imagine more perfectly blended sonorities but with Lalo it’s probably more important that the sharply contrasted orchestral colours are brought out strongly, as they are here.

The Fantaisie norvégienne is a shorter, slighter work but full of charm and with many individual touches, especially in the scintillating final movement. Kantorow’s interpretation of the Symphonie espagnole shows him continually alive to expressive changes. Occasionally his rubato may seem excessive but it’s all clearly part of a deeply felt view of the music, spontaneous and immediate. The local Spanish colour is vividly applied, especially in the second and third movements. In the Andante, the quiet moments might have sounded more soft and tender, the melody in the finale’s middle section a touch more sentimental, but all in all these are exciting, strongly coloured performances that do Lalo proud.