Romanian-born George Enesco began composing and performing on the violin at the age of five. His early musical training began at the Vienna Conservatory where he studied composition with Robert Fuchs and Sigismond Bachrich. Upon graduation from the conservatory at age 12, Enesco moved to Paris to continue his studies. Eventually he became a teacher and was regarded as one of the best violin performers of his time.

Enesco was much influenced by Romanian folk music which incorporates slower flowing melodies with dramatic melodic lines. He believed that the melodic line was the most important component and he liked to have more than one melody working at the same time, especially in his early compositions. His compositions comprise works for orchestra, solo violin and smaller chamber works. Because of his rigorous teaching and performing schedule he did not have the time he would have liked to compose. He was also known for revising his works, as Beethoven did, several times before their first performance, and even after the premiere.

In his Legende, the slow melodic line at the beginning gives way to a faster, more aggressive melodic line that eventually builds to the climax. At the conclusion, the slow melody returns, creating a threepart, ternary form.

Enesco believed that he was not a good composer of harmony and therefore focused on melodic elegance. However, in this lovely work he demonstrates his unique harmonic ability with rich sonorities in the piano accompaniment. Slow, flowing melodies are juxtaposed with rapid scalar lines in both the trumpet and piano. These stylistic features were a trademark of Enesco's music, beguiling to performers and listeners alike.

-- Kendall Briggs