| If you're looking for objectivity, you won't | | | | it was popularized by the great Jascha |
| find it here. I'm a psychologist by | | | | Heifetz. The rugged nature of the two outer |
| profession and an amateur violinist. So the | | | | movements is in complete contrast to the |
| following list and the explanations are | | | | exquisite beauty of the slow movement, which |
| purely subjective, not the opinion of a | | | | has a long melody played only twice. |
| professional musician or musical scholar, and | | | | |
| will probably change by the time I finish | | | | Number 6 - Felix Mendellsohn, Concerto for |
| writing this. Nevertheless, as of today, here | | | | Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Opus 64, |
| are the top 10 violin concertos of all time | | | | written in 1844."Seamless elegance and |
| (in rank order), and why I think so. | | | | heart." The model of what a violin concerto |
| | | | should be. Pure song from beginning to end. |
| Number 1 - Ludwig van Beethoven, Concerto for | | | | It actually sounds as if it was never |
| Violin and Orchestra in D major, Opus 61, | | | | actually "composed," but always existed in |
| written in 1806."The Gentle Giant." A serene | | | | the atmosphere somewhere, only to be plucked |
| piece of music made of the simplest materials | | | | out of the sky by Mendellsohn and written |
| but of immense scope and structure. One of | | | | down for others to play. |
| the greatest cultural achievements of Western | | | | |
| civilization. Listen particularly for the | | | | Number 7 - Bela Bartok, Concerto for Violin |
| 5-beat element present almost everywhere in | | | | and Orchestra #2, written in |
| the 1st Movement. | | | | 1939."Animalistic fury from the heart of the |
| | | | Eastern European backwoods." This concerto |
| Number 2 - Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Concerto | | | | is simultaneously in classical sonata form, a |
| for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Opus 35, | | | | theme and variations, and with all of the |
| written in 1878."A true blockbuster." This is | | | | inspiration of an improvised fantasy. Its |
| the most popular violin concerto ever | | | | nature is deep and stark, just as the turmoil |
| written, and with good reason. Written in a | | | | of the world the composer lived in. |
| burst of happy inspiration, it has been on | | | | |
| the best-seller list of audience favorites | | | | Number 8 - Dmitri Shostakovich, Concerto for |
| for over 125 years, and shows no signs of | | | | Violin and Orchestra, #1, Opus 99, written in |
| disappearing. | | | | the 1950's."The darkness of the 20th |
| | | | Century." Unusual in being in 4 movements, |
| Number 3 - Johannes Brahms, Concerto for | | | | whereas most concertos are in 3. |
| Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Opus 77, | | | | Introspective and vibrant. The 3rd Movement, |
| written in 1878."Depth and romanticism." The | | | | "Passacaglia," is a theme and variations of |
| ideal combination of classical form and | | | | almost agonizing intensity. |
| romanticism from the unique voice of | | | | |
| classical music's most introspective poet. He | | | | Number 9 - Edward Elgar, Concerto for Violin |
| had to have been in love when he wrote this | | | | and Orchestra in B Minor, Opus 61, written in |
| one. | | | | 1910."Victorian pomp and emotional |
| | | | sensitivity all rolled into one." This is one |
| Number 4 - Niccolo Paganini, Concerto for | | | | of those "old-fashioned" concertos that keeps |
| Violin and Orchestra No. 2 in B minor, Opus | | | | popping up as timeless. The depth of emotion, |
| 7, written in 1826."Dramatic, theatrical, | | | | genuine sentimentality, regal dignity, and |
| virtuosic, and seductive." Italian opera with | | | | consummate virtuosity inherent is this music |
| the violin solo as a kind of super-soprano | | | | is all perfectly combined and direct from the |
| voice. You can almost see the curtains | | | | composer's heart. |
| opening at the opening orchestral | | | | |
| introduction. The ultimate combining an | | | | Number 10 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Violin |
| operatic aesthetic with spectacular | | | | Concerto #4 in D Major, K. 218, written in |
| instrumental virtuosity by perhaps one of the | | | | 1775."Purity, song, and perfection." How can |
| greatest virtuosos and underrated composers | | | | you have a top-10 list and not include |
| of all time. | | | | Mozart? In fact, how can Mozart possibly have |
| | | | sunk to 10th place? The 3rd and 5th Concertos |
| Number 5 - Jean Sibelius, Concerto for Violin | | | | may be more popular, but to me this one has |
| and Orchestra in D Minor, Opus 47, written in | | | | such sheer beauty, liveliness, and heart, |
| 1903."Emotional, majestic, and exciting." | | | | that it never fails to move me. |
| This has been an audience favorite ever since | | | | |