Accompanied by the hr-Sinfonieorchester (Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra), Dutch violinist Janine Jansen performs Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35. Performed and broadcast on April 19th, 2013, with Paavo Järvi conducting in the Alte Oper Frankfurt. Encore: “Mélodie” from “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” (arranged by Alexander Glazunov).
The hr-Sinfonieorchester is the radio orchestra of Hessischer Rundfunk, the public broadcasting network of the German state of Hesse.
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Written in 1878, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35 is one of the best-known violin concertos and is considered one of the most technically difficult works for the violin.
It is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in A and B-flat, two bassoons, four horns in F, two trumpets in D, timpani, and strings. The first performance of the concerto was scheduled for 10/22 March 1879 at a concert of the Russian Musical Society in Saint Petersburg, to be performed by Leopold Auer, the Hungarian violinist, teacher, and composer (b. 7 June 1845 in Veszprém, Austria-Hungary; d. 15 July 1930 in Loschwitz, Germany).
The piece is in three movements (there is no break or pause between the second and third movements):
- Allegro moderato (D major)
- Canzonetta: Andante (G minor)
- Finale: Allegro vivacissimo (D major)
Early in 1878, Tchaikovsky was staying at Clarens as a guest, with his former student, the violinist Iosif Kotek. Together with Kotek, he played through a large selection from the violin repertoire, and in particular the French composer Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole which seems inspired him to write a violin concerto.
On 5/17 March Tchaikovsky wrote to Nadezhda von Meck: “This evening I was seized … quite unexpectedly with a burning inspiration…”. He set aside his Grand Sonata, on which he had been working at the time, and began composition of the Violin Concerto. In a letter to Nadezhda von Meck on 7/19 March, Tchaikovsky noted that for the first time in his life, he had begun a new composition before completing the previous one.
“On this occasion, I could not overcome my desire to make rough sketches for a concerto, and afterward became so carried away that I abandoned work on the sonata”.
In all his letters from this period, the composer remarks that he is carried away with work on the concerto, which, notwithstanding its novelty of form, came very easily to him. On 10/22 March, i.e. after five days, Tchaikovsky finished the first movement of the concerto; on 11/23 March he began the second movement (Andante), and on 14/26 March he told Nadezhda von Meck that he had “reached the finale” and the concerto would soon be ready.
On 16/28 March 1878, Tchaikovsky wrote: “Today I finished the concerto. It still has to be copied out and played through a few times… and then orchestrated. I shall start the copying out and add the finishing touches”. The following day he began to make the fair copy.
After playing through the concerto with Iosif Kotek, Tchaikovsky decided to write a new Andante, though the first movement and finale were considered satisfactory. On 24 March/5 April, Tchaikovsky wrote the new Andante, which in his words was: “better suited to the concerto’s other two movements”. He decided to add two other violin pieces to the original Andante (which was restyled Méditation) to form the cycle Souvenir d’un lieu cher, Op. 42).
Therefore, by 24 March/5 April, all the sketches were ready, including the new Andante, and the piano arrangement of the first movement. In a letter of 24 March/5 April, Tchaikovsky told Nadezhda von Meck: “Today my concerto might be called completely finished. Tomorrow I shall launch myself into the full score, and aim to finish this while the work is still fresh in my thoughts”. On 30 March/11 April the full score was ready.
Tchaikovsky also arranged the concerto for violin with piano accompaniment, between 17/29 March and 24 March 1878.
Movements
The piece is in three movements (there is no break or pause between the second and third movements):
- Allegro moderato (D major)
- Canzonetta: Andante (G minor)
- Finale: Allegro vivacissimo (D major)
1. Allegro moderato
The first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, marked Allegro moderato, is a remarkable work known for its melodic richness and technical demands. It begins with a brief orchestral introduction that presents a broad, stately theme. The solo violin soon enters with a contrasting melody-soaring, expressive, and lyrical. The main theme of the movement is developed through a series of lively passages that require the violinist to display technical prowess, including rapid runs, double stops, and complex bowing techniques.
Tchaikovsky’s writing here is highly emotional, blending moments of tender lyricism with fiery, dramatic passages. The relationship between the solo violin and the orchestra is constantly dynamic, with the violin often leading the conversation. A notable feature is the cadenza, a solo passage where the violinist performs unaccompanied, showcasing their virtuosity.
The movement ends with a powerful and energetic conclusion, setting the stage for the concerto’s remaining sections. Overall, it is a masterful blend of Romantic expressiveness and technical brilliance.
2. Canzonetta: Andante
The second movement (Canzonetta: Andante) of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto serves as a lyrical and reflective contrast to the energetic first movement. Written in a simple ABA form, it showcases Tchaikovsky’s gift for melodic writing, providing a moment of calm and introspection.
The movement opens with a delicate, haunting theme played by the solo violin, set against a gentle orchestral backdrop. The melody is soulful and melancholic, almost song-like, reflecting the influence of Russian folk music in its simplicity and expressiveness. The violin sings the melody with great tenderness, creating an intimate dialogue with the orchestra.
In the central section, the mood changes slightly, becoming more animated and emotional, before returning to the initial theme, now more introspective. The violin’s delicate phrasing and nuanced dynamics are essential to conveying the movement’s emotional depth.
The Canzonetta functions as a lyrical interlude between the dramatic outer movements, and its understated beauty highlights the emotional range of the concerto. It transitions seamlessly into the lively third movement, setting up the finale with a subtle change of mood.
3. Finale: Allegro vivacissimo
The third movement (Allegro vivacissimo) of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is a vibrant and energetic finale that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. This movement is marked by its fast pace, rhythmic vitality, and dazzling technical demands on the solo violin.
It opens with a lively and dance-like theme, drawing inspiration from Russian folk music. The violin immediately takes the lead, delivering rapid, joyful passages that contrast with the more lyrical and expansive melodies found in the earlier movements. The interplay between the violin and orchestra is dynamic, with the orchestra providing a bold and rhythmic backdrop for the violin’s virtuosic flourishes.
Throughout the movement, Tchaikovsky balances playful, exuberant sections with brief moments of lyrical beauty, where the violin introduces slower, more expressive lines. The alternating moods create a sense of excitement and unpredictability.
The concerto ends in a whirlwind of energy, with the violin racing through dazzling runs and fast-paced rhythms, leading to a powerful and triumphant conclusion. This finale showcases both the technical brilliance and the emotional range of the soloist, bringing the concerto to a thrilling and celebratory close.
Souvenir d’un lieu cher
Souvenir d’un lieu cher (Memory of a dear place), Op. 42, for violin and piano, was written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky between March and May 1878. It consists of three movements:
- Méditation (D minor)
- Scherzo (C minor)
- Mélodie (E-flat major; Tchaikovsky also described it as a “chant sans paroles”).
In 1880, the Méditation was published separately and has since become well known as an independent piece. The Scherzo and Mélodie were published separately in 1884. In 1896 Jurgenson published the complete work in an arrangement by Alexander Glazunov (10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936; the Russian composer of the late Russian Romantic period, music teacher, and conductor) for violin and orchestra, and in this form, it has perhaps become better known than in its original form for violin and piano.
Sources
- Violin Concerto (Tchaikovsky) on Wikipedia
- Souvenir d’un lieu cher on Wikipedia
- Violin Concerto, Op. 35 (Tchaikovsky, Pyotr) on the International Music Score Library Project website
- “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto: a deep-dive into the best recordings” on the Gramophone UK website
- Chopin: Scherzo No. 3 [İlyun Bürkev] - September 14, 2024
- César Franck: Violin Sonata [Argerich, Capuçon] - September 8, 2024
- Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 23 “Appassionata” [Anna Fedorova] - September 7, 2024