The premiere of Dvořák's Violin Concerto was ultimately given by František Ondříček, a young Czech violinist, after two revisions failed to satisfy Joachim.
Performer Biography
Sinfonia Varsovia was formed in 1984 when Yehudi Menuhin, the legendary violinist, requested to continue working with an expanded Polish Chamber Orchestra after initial concerts.
Composition History
Dvořák initially intended his Violin Concerto for Joseph Joachim, a renowned violinist he met through Brahms, but their collaboration soured due to Joachim's criticisms and indifference.
Composition History
The Four Romantic Pieces for violin and piano were inspired by Dvořák's earlier Miniatures for two violins and viola, which he wrote for his mother-in-law's lodger, a chemistry student, and his teacher.
Instruments
Hrachya Avanesyan, the violinist on this recording, plays an Antonio Stradivarius violin known as the 'Piatti', which dates from 1717.
Critical Reception
Despite its rich musical material and originality, Dvořák's Violin Concerto experienced a period of relative unpopularity in the 20th century after an initial quarter-century of success.
Composition History
Dvořák's Romance Op. 11 originated from a slow movement of an earlier quartet (Op. 9) that the composer deemed too Wagnerian and unoriginal, but which his publisher Simrock persuaded him to revive.
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