Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto | Janine Jansen, Mikhail Pletnev & the Verbier Festival Orchestra
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto - A Virtuoso Piece That Takes Your Breath Away
In this video, renowned violinist Janine Jansen performs Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with the Verbier Festival Orchestra under the musical direction of Mikhail Pletnev. The concert took place on August 6, 2017, at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland.
- (00:00) Taking the stage
- (00:35) I. Allegro moderato – Moderato assai
- (19:47) II. Canzonetta. Andante
- (26:07) III. Finale. Allegro vivacissimo
The violin concerto in D Major, Op. 35 by Tchaikovsky is one of the most popular and well-known works for solo violin and orchestra.
- Background: The genesis of Tchaikovsky's only concerto for violin and orchestra was not unproblematic. In 1877, he was experiencing a grave crisis due to his broken marriage and secret love for Iosif Kotek.
- The result was severe depression, which led him to compose the concerto in a few weeks during his recuperation in Clarens, Switzerland, with Kotek as an advisor on playing technique.
- However, dedicating it to Kotek or having him play at the premiere was not possible. Instead, Tchaikovsky dedicated his concerto to Russian violinist Adolph Brodsky, who performed at the premiere in Vienna in 1881.
The audience had nothing but disdain for Tchaikovsky's composition during its premiere, which received disparaging reviews. However, after Brodsky's performance, Hungarian violin virtuoso Leopold Auer revised his negative opinion and became a passionate champion of the work.
Today, it is difficult to understand why the audience reacted negatively to Tchaikovsky's concerto. It is incredibly suspenseful and romantic, with a cadenza in the middle of the first movement that showcases Janine Jansen's virtuoso skills. The most beautiful moment is perhaps when the orchestra returns after this solo performance and the flute intones the theme of the movement.
Watch more concerts in YOUR PERSONAL CONCERT HALL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBV5A14dyRWy1KSkwcG8LEey
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And here you can find more music from Tchaikovsky: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_SdnzPd3eBXeqiLcYJCB2Ct1lqIDtivN
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