Max Bruch - A brief look at his first violin concerto

Bruch - 1867. CONCERTO NO. 1 IN G MINOR, for violin and orchestra, op. 26. I. Allegro moderato. II. Adagio. III. Allegro energico.

Max Bruch

Here's a wonderful interpretation of the Adagio as performed by Joshua Bell 

Joshua Bell

Bruch wrote three violin concertos, but it is only the first of these that has stayed in public favor. After the first draft had been introduced in Coblenz in 1866, Bruch revised it extensively. The new and definitive version was performed by Joseph Joachim in Bremen in 1868 and has become one of the most popular violin concertos in the Romantic literature. Note that Brahms’ violin concerto in D was dedicated to Joachim.

The first movement is unusual in that the material of the orchestral introduction bears no relation to the main body and is never heard again. With the introduction complete, the solo violin embarks on the first main subject accompanied by tremolos. A second and more emotional melody is also introduced by the solo instrument in collaboration with the oboe with musical ideas that are enlarged and recapitulated, followed by a cadenza then serves as the link to the second movement. A soaring song for solo violin is the principal subject while a subsidiary thought is later presented as a short orchestral introduction. The full orchestra provides contrasting material in the form of a lyrical second theme, which is soon assumed by the solo violin. There are brilliant virtuoso passages for the violin in the development, and a delightful canonic interlude for the orchestra. An abbreviated version of the opening theme serves as the closing statement.