Carmen Fantasy (Sarasate)

The Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25, by Pablo de Sarasate is a violin fantasy on themes from the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. A version with piano accompaniment was published in 1882.

The Carmen Fantasy is one of Sarasate's most well known works and is often performed in violin competitions. Because of its delicate techniques and passion inspired by the opera, it is considered to be one of the most challenging and technically demanding pieces for the violin. In technical terms, this composition is slightly more difficult than Sarasate's other popular virtuoso work Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs).

The piece contains an adaptation of the Aragonaise, Habanera, an interlude, Seguidilla, and the Gypsy Dance. A performance takes approximately 12 minutes.

The German-American film composer Franz Waxman composed in 1946 a similar work, Carmen Fantasie.

The work consists of five movements.

The work is scored for piccolo and 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, timpani, tambourine, harp and strings. There is also an adaptation of the Carmen Fantasy with piano accompaniment.

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