Beethoven composed only one violin concerto, apart from an early C major fragment, which is now considered one of the greatest ever written.
Composition History
Beethoven composed his Violin Concerto in 1806, a year when he also completed his Fourth Piano Concerto and Fourth Symphony, and began work on Symphony No.5.
Critical Reception
At its premiere, the audience was enthusiastic about Beethoven's Violin Concerto, but critics were less so; however, composer Muzio Clementi recognized its quality and requested a piano transcription.
Compositional Technique
Beethoven did not write a cadenza for the violin in his concerto, leading many virtuosos, such as Fritz Kreisler, to create their own.
Historical Context
Despite Napoleon's armies occupying Vienna and even billeting troops in his home, Beethoven's Violin Concerto is seen as a 'love poem' reflecting his happiness at being engaged to Thérèse von Brunswick.
Notable Performances
The premiere of Beethoven's Violin Concerto was given by the young virtuoso Franz Clément, whose tone and technical mastery Beethoven greatly admired.
Recording & Production
This recording of Beethoven's Violin Concerto is a live performance from Berlin in 1986, six years after Itzhak Perlman's previous studio version.
