As a master of musical “color,” Ravel has been known to wield bold and vibrant harmonies as well as elegant and delicate melodies. His Rapsodie Espagnole, inspired by Spanish folk customs, retains much French flavor. For the Tzigane, Ravel combined Paganini’s virtuosic techniques with Hungarian gypsy music, highlighting freedom and improvisation. Mendelssohn was a composer who fused together classical and romantic traditions. His Violin Concerto in E Minor is noble, lyrical and imaginative, encompassing rich emotions. His Symphony No.4 in A Major was initiated during Mendelssohn’s trip to Italy in 1831. Although it is a youthful work, the movements attain perfect balance, each passage compact and vital.