REPRINT SERIES

 George Enescu’s Two Intermèdes for string orchestra, Op. 12, were written in 1902–03 as short orchestral miniatures for strings and are usually performed together as a single item. The two pieces contrast in character: the first, marked Allègrement (or Allegro/Allègrement), is brisk, rhythmically buoyant and lightly scored; the second, Très lent, is slow, lyrical and more introspective, making use of sustained string sonorities and subtle harmonic shading. These complementary moods give the set a compact arch-like quality that showcases Enescu’s early voice for string writing.