Programme 97 Violin Concertos

Loading player...
Programme 97 Violin Concertos Programme description
Today we have part two of a series in which we will explore in depth the various instruments that are used in the orchestra. By in depth I mean that we will listen to a substantial amount of music for each instrument, focusing on them one by one.

We are busy listening to the leader of the orchestra, the Violin.
We are about to listen to two more concertos for violin as we continue to become really familiar with the sound and range of possibilities of this instrument. For today I would like you to take note of a feature of most concertos, namely the cadenza, as we listen to Mozart’s concerto. This is an opportunity for the soloist to show their skill while the orchestra remains silent. Sometimes the composer wrote this part, and often the composer left it to the performer to improvise their own. In this particular recording the cadenza is by the soloist, by Itzhak Perlman, and it occurs towards the end of the first movement. Both the other movements also feature short cadenza-like passages towards the end of the movements.
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219 ("The Turkish")
Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5 sparkles with youthful charm and inventive spirit. It highlights the violin’s playful grace and natural singing quality, moving from poised, elegant melodies to a lively, rhythmically charged "Turkish" section that adds surprise and drama. It’s a wonderful showcase of how lightness and virtuosity live together in the violin.

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Opus 35
Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is a thrilling celebration of passion and virtuosity. From the opening bars, it demands emotional intensity and breathtaking agility from the soloist. The violin soars, dances, and weeps throughout, embodying the full power of Romantic expression — a dazzling display of the instrument’s ability to move and astonish an audience.
4 May English South Africa Music · Music History

Other recent episodes

Programme 107 Music for the full string ensemble.

Programme 107 Music for the full string ensemble. Programme description. This is programme 12 in the sequence of music for String Instruments. In the prior 11 programmes we became thoroughly familiar with the sounds of the Violin, the Viola, the Violincello, and the Double Bass by listening to concertos and…
13 Jul 58 min

Programme 106 - More Music for Double Bass Programme

Programme 106 - More Music for Double Bass Programme description. In today’s programme I have three items which feature the Double Bass. I must admit that the concerto I played last in the programme last Monday surprised me very pleasantly when I first heard it. I hope that you similarly…
7 Jul 1 hr 01 min

“about Music” Programme 105 : Double Bass Concertos.

We continue our exploration of the string instruments of the orchestra with the Double Bass, the deep voice underpinning of most works for orchestra, and also a standard member of the Jazz Ensemble. Though rare, concertos for double bass do exist, and are regularly performed today. These works highlight the…
29 Jun 59 min

Programme 104 More Viola Music

Programme 104 More Viola Music – Programme Description In today’s programme we hear more music for that underappreciated instrument, the Viola. This programme highlights how well the Viola combines with the Clarinet and also the Alto Voice. Max Bruch: Eight Pieces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano – Numbers 2, 6,…
23 Jun 59 min