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ARTIN MELITON SARASATE was born at Pampeluna, came to France as a child, and at the age of twelve entered the Paris Conservatoire, where he became the favourite pupil of Alard, and gained the first prizes for violin playing. When about sixteen he took up the career of a concert player, in which the extreme beauty of his execution, aided doubtless by his singularly striking appearance, ensured his immediate success. No violinist has travelled more than he; he has played in every important city in Europe and America, and is well known to London audiences. His distinguishing characteristics are not so much fire, force, and passion, though of these he has an ample store, as purity of style, charm, flexibility, and extraordinary facility. He sings on his instrument with the utmost feeling and expression, and without any of the affectation which robs the playing of many violinists of all charm. It is a disputed point among musicians whether Señor Sarasate or Herr Joachim is to be considered the greatest violinist of the age.