ViolinConcertoinAminor,BWV1041,JohannSebastionBach(1685-1750)
Johann Sebastian Bach composed his Violin Concerto in A minor during his time in Cöthen, between 1717 and 1723. As capellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen, Bach created music that catered to the aristocracy, although many of his compositions and their copies have been lost over time. During this period, he transcribed two of Vivaldi's concertos for organ and harpsichord, allowing him to absorb the Venetian style. This influence is evident in his concerto, which adheres to the Venetian form yet still features German characteristics, notably a focus on counterpoint over virtuosic violin techniques. The concerto consists of three movements, beginning with a ritornello form in the first movement, where the opening theme intriguingly does not return. The second movement, an Andante in C major, features a recurring ostinato in the bass in the orchestral accompaniment. The fast-slow-fast pattern of the three movements is also typical of the time period. The final movement, Allegro assai, is lively and written in 9/8, reminiscent of a jig, and showcases virtuosic string techniques, such as bariolage, bringing a spirited conclusion to the work.
ViolinConcertoNo.1,AnatoliSergeyevichKomarowski(1909-1955)
The Violin Concerto No. 1 in E minor by Anatoli Sergeyevich Komarowski was published in 1947 in Leipzig. Born in Moscow in 1909, Komarowski studied at the Moscow Conservatory under Vissarion Shebalin, and though details about his life remain sparse, he is noted to have Polish heritage. His works often cater to young violinists, and this concerto is listed in the Royal Conservatory of Music “Syllabus and Repertoire” alongside the Seitz Concerto No 1 and Haydn G major Concerto, informing us of its pedagogical value. The concerto is structured in sonata form, beginning with two main themes: the first in E minor, starting with the notes "le so do," and the second in G major, initiated with "so do." The development section skillfully modulates, fragments, and varies these themes rhythmically. Following a dramatic cadenza, the recapitulation revisits the opening themes, intertwining them with new melodies, leading to an exhilarating conclusion marked by an accelerando, harmonics, double stops, and a fragmented return of "le so do." Only the first movement of this concerto will be featured in today’s recital.