As the illegitimate son of an English woman and a man from Sierra Leone, Samuel Coleridge—Taylor overcame the constraints of Victorian society to become an acclaimed composer and a symbol of hope for racial equality, earning international fame during his lifetime. His Four Characteristic Waltzes, Op. 22, originally written for orchestra and arranged here by the composer for violin and piano, are ideal concert pieces that explore the expressive range of the waltz form: from the Dvorák—inspired Valse bohémienne, through the tender simplicity of the Valse rustique, to the serene Valse de la Reine and the fiery brilliance of the Valse mauresque. Lyrical and idiomatic for violin, with a rich, full piano part, these pieces offer rewarding repertoire for intermediate to advanced players and a delightful rediscovery of Coleridge—Taylor's elegant, expressive style. With an introduction by violinist Maya Magub.