Dedicated to Saint-Saëns, this is one of the least understood of Enescu's orchestral works—at least by his contemporaries. It follows a cyclical principal to the degree that the last three movements develop and manipulate material emanating from the first, which is among the most striking of any of the composer's orchestral scores. There is a significant Wagnerian influence to the whole suite, though the Finale does have a most un-Germanic feel about the Tarantella-like rhythmic motif it employs. Interestingly, Kodály used to use this piece as a teaching tool for his students, referring especially to the obvious monody herein.

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