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