Contemporary Classics October 24, 2017 Contemporary Violin and Orchestra

Alban Berg's Violin Concerto was written in 1935 (the score is dated 11 August 1935). It is probably Berg's best-known and most frequently performed instrumental piece, in which the composer sought to reconcile diatonic harmonies the and 12 tone system. It was the last work that he completed  prior to his death on Christmas Eve of 1935.

It is in two movements, each divided into two sections:  I. Andante (Prelude) & Allegretto (Scherzo); II.  Allegro (Cadenza) & Adagio (Chorale Variations)

The work begins with an Andante in classical sonata form, followed by the Allegretto, a dance-like section. The second movement starts with an Allegro largely based on a single recurring rhythmic cell; this section has been described as cadenza-like, with very difficult passages in the solo part. The orchestration becomes rather violent at its climax (which is literally marked in the score as "High point of the Allegro"); the fourth and final section, marked Adagio, is in a much calmer mood. The first two sections are meant to represent life, the last two death and transfiguration.

Esa-Pekka Salonen wrote his Violin Concerto at the end of his tenure as conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2009.  He wrote it for the orchestra summing up what he thought the skills of the orchestra was after 17 years as the musical director. According to Salonen, "it is not a coincidence that the last movement is called Adieu". The concerto was premiered in April 9, 2009, only a few days before the Los Angeles Philharmonic appointed Salonen as its first ever Conductor Laureate. The premiere was performed by Leila Josefowicz and the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of Salonen.  The concerto is in four movements:  Mirage, Pulse I, Pulse II and  Adieu.

Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto written in 1931 is in 4 movements:  Toccata, Aria I, Aria II & Capriccio

Early in the compositional process, Stravinsky devised a D-E-A chord, which stretches over three octaves one day while he and young Polish violinist Samuel Dushkin were having lunch in a Paris restaurant.  According to Dushkin, Stravinsky sketched the chord on a napkin for the violinist, who thought the chord unplayable, however, Dushkin tried it out on his violin and was surprised to discover it was actually quite easy to play. The composer later referred to this chord as his "passport to the Concerto" and included it in the beginning of each movement.

Edgar Meyer's Violin Concerto was written in 1999 for the then 19 year old Hilary Hahn, who premiered it that summer.  Meyer wrote the work all the various styles that Meyer is famous for as a performer with his usual inventiveness.   A lovely folksong-like melody opens the piece and reappears later to sing and soar.   He then has the violinist turn into a bluegrass fiddler, swinging along and trading riffs with the orchestra, using drones to produce astonishing double stops, holding the listener's interest even when the music gets a little repetitious.   The work is in two movements One and Two.

We are going to close with Jota de Pablo by Spanish violinist and composer Pablo de Sarasate.  You say whow Sarasate is a 19^th century composer – yes but he died in 1908 and this work was composed in 1906 so it fits in Contemporary Classics although it is written in a very romantic style.  Here is Pablo de Sarasate’s Jota de Pablo, Op. 52 (version for violin and orchestra) performed by Ernest Martínez-Izquierdo, Orquesta Sinfonica de Navarra conducted by Tianwa Yang            Sarasate: Music for Violin and Orchestra, Vol. 2            Naxos