Violin Concerto No. 1 (Wieniawski)

Violin Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 14, by Polish violin virtuoso Henryk Wieniawski was first performed on October 27, 1853 in Leipzig. The score is dedicated to King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia.[1]

Structure

The work is in three movements:

  1. Allegro moderato
  2. Preghiera: Larghetto
  3. Rondo: Allegro giocoso

A typical performance takes around 28 - 30 minutes.

Analysis

The first movement has two contrasting themes, the first in dotted rhythm and initially hesitant and the second in B major (begun by the cellos), wide-ranging and expressive. These are, in turn, dissected and ornamented by the soloist with formidable virtuosity, using multiple-stopping and harmonics and, notably in the cadenza, the extreme upper register of the violin.[2]

The second movement, Preghiera (Prayer), is a short lyrical interlude in A major, with the orchestra woodwinds and horns given much prominence.[3] It leads into the concluding Rondo, a colourful and vivacious piece with a contrasting episode in B major and demanding bravura playing, but without the first movement's extreme pyrotechnics (suggesting that it was composed earlier).

References
  1. "Violin Concertos - Henryk Wieniawski". Culture.pl.
  2. Chris Woodstra; Gerald Brennan; Allen Schrott (2005). All Music Guide to Classical Music: The Definitive Guide to Classical Music. Backbeat Books. p. 1511. ISBN 978-0-87930-865-0.
  3. Franco Sciannameo (2016). Experiencing the Violin Concerto: A Listener's Companion. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-8108-8886-9.
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