Brahms – Violinkonzert D-dur Op. 77

Discogs

Brahms’ only violin concerto was composed in 1878 for his friend the violinist Joseph Joachim. Brahms was not a violinist himself, and even though he asked Joachim for advice about the bowing and phrasing of the solo part, it is not an easy piece. So much so that it led some critics to call it a concert against the violin. Nowadays it is considered one of the classic repertoire for the instrument.

As so many composers, Brahms was admiring Beethoven, and is quoting his violin concerto (also in D major) by using timpani right before the entrance of the violin after an orchestral introduction.

A fine performance by renowned Mexican-Polish violinist Henryk Szeryng. When at the start of the second world war the Polish government in exile asked him to become a translator (he spoke seven languages), he accepted the position and travelled the world. He didn’t stop performing during this time, and when he saw how Mexico helped Polish refugees, he decided to stay there and become a Mexican citizen in 1941.

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