Contemporary Classics October 24, 2017 Contemporary Violin and Orchestra

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

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

The workbegins with an Andante in classical sonata form, followed by the Allegretto, adance-like section. The second movement starts with an Allegro largely based ona single recurring rhythmic cell; this section has been described ascadenza-like, with very difficult passages in the solo part. The orchestrationbecomes rather violent at its climax (which is literally marked in the score as”High point of the Allegro”); the fourth and final section, markedAdagio, is in a much calmer mood. The first two sections are meant to representlife, the last two death and transfiguration.

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

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

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

EdgarMeyer’s Violin Concerto was written in 1999 for the then 19 year old Hilary Hahn, who premieredit that summer.  Meyer wrote thework all the various styles that Meyer is famous for as a performer with hisusual inventiveness.   Alovely folksong-like melody opens the piece and reappears later to sing andsoar.   He then has the violinist turn into a bluegrass fiddler,swinging along and trading riffs with the orchestra, using drones to produceastonishing double stops, holding the listener’s interest even when the musicgets a little repetitious.   The work is in two movements One and Two.

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