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Biography
Pablo Sarasate (1844-1908)
Pablo Sarasate Navascués was born in the Calle San Nicolás in the city of Pamplona in 1844 and died at his home in Biarritz, “Villa Navarra”, in 1908, exactly one hundred years ago.
Virtuoso violinist, concert performer and composer. His parents and grandparents were all from Navarre. He only lived in Pamplona until the age of two, but always maintained a close bond with his home town, which he visited every year for close to four decades to perform concerts and take part in the San Fermín Festival. When he died, at the age of 64, he was laid to rest in Pamplona.
His major biographers claim he had two passions: music and his home town. Whilst living in Paris, his adopted or second home, where most of his academic and professional activity took place, the artistic life of this child prodigy eventually made him a world famous artist. He was constantly touring Europe, Russia and the Americas. He packed out theatres and auditoria, and his name became famous in the leading courts of Europe, including that of Napoleon III, Queen Victoria of England and Queen Isabella II of Spain.
He was a great lover of virtuoso pieces and his style was one of late Romanticism, linked to popular folklore, although without neglecting the purest forms of musical classicism. He possessed the musical technique and mastery of an exceptional genius. Sarasate also composed for the violin and was the inspiration for many composers of his time. “Zapateado”, “Aires gitanos”, “Navarra” and “Jota de San Fermín” are a few of the more popular titles composed by Pamplona’s finest musician.
Genius! I have practiced fourteen hours a day for thirty seven years, and now they call me a genius! 
