Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto | Maxim Vengerov (violin), Long Yu & the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra

The Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) is probably one of the best-known and most popular violin concertos of all. Here, it’s played by Maxim Vengerov (violin) and the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra under the musical direction of Long Yu. The concert took place on August 20, 2017 at the Lucerne Culture and Congress Center in Switzerland.

(00:00) I. Allegro moderato – Moderato assai
(19:23) II. Canzonetta. Andante
(25:51) III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo

The genesis of Tchaikovsky's only concerto for violin and orchestra was not unproblematic. In 1877, the Russian composer was experiencing a grave crisis: his marriage had broken down before it had even begun, and his romantic love for his former pupil Iosif Kotek (1855 - 1885) had to be kept secret as it was considered taboo. The result was severe depression. In the spring of 1878, Tchaikovsky traveled to Clarens in Switzerland to recuperate. In the idyllic landscape on Lake Geneva, he composed his violin concerto within a few weeks – in the presence of Kotek, who as a violinist became an advisor on playing technique. The dedication and premiere of the solo concerto was also problematic. Dedicating it to Kotek was out of the question, and he also declined to play at the premiere. Hungarian violin virtuoso Leopold Auer also turned it down, considering the violin part unplayable. In the end, Tchaikovsky dedicated his concerto to Russian violinist Adolph Brodsky, who performed at the premiere in Vienna in 1881. The concert attracted attention: while Brodsky was celebrated for his virtuosity, the audience had nothing but disdain for Tchaikovsky's composition, which received disparaging reviews. But after Brodsky's premiere, Auer revised his original negative opinion and subsequently became a passionate champion of the work which achieved worldwide fame as early as 1882.

Nowadays, it is difficult to understand what could have caused the negative reaction of the premiere audience. Tchaikovsky's violin concerto is a thoroughly romantic solo concerto. It is incredibly suspenseful and in places reminiscent of the great works of film scoring. The highlight is undoubtedly the cadenza, which, unusually, is in the middle of the first movement (10:06). The most beautiful moment is perhaps when the orchestra comes back in again after this virtuoso solo performance and the flute intones the theme of the movement (13:05). More emotion, beauty and romantic expression is hard to imagine.

Maxim Vengerov is considered one of the best violinists in the world. Born in Novosibirsk in the former Soviet Union in 1974, Maxim Vengerov began his career as a solo violinist at the age of five and was considered a child prodigy. At the age of 10, he won the Junior Wieniawski Competition in Poland and recorded his first album. He studied with Galina Tourchaninova and then with the famous violin teacher Zakhar Bron in Novosibirsk and later in Lübeck. He has been awarded a Grammy, two Echo Music Prizes, and the Gramophone Artist of the Year Award, among others. Maxim Vengerov is also a sought-after violist, conductor, and music educator.

© 2017 Accentus Music

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