Jean Sibelius, the composer of the Violin Concerto, was an accomplished violinist himself, which gave him an understanding of the instrument's capabilities and limitations.
Notable Performances
The second, modified version of Sibelius's Violin Concerto was premiered in 1905 at the Berlin Singakademie by Czech violinist Karel Halir, conducted by Richard Strauss.
Historical Context
In the mid-18th century, the term "symphony" referred to a three-movement Italian "sinfonia," which was essentially an opera overture with short movements, a style that suited the young Mozart.
Composition History
The first version of Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto was completed in 1903 and premiered in Helsinki in 1904, but the composer was not satisfied and created a modified second version.
Performer Biography
Klaus Tennstedt, the conductor on this album, studied violin and piano at Leipzig Conservatory and began his career as an orchestra leader at the Halle Municipal Theatre at age twenty-two.
Composer Biography
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his First Symphony, K16, at the age of eight, having written more than two-thirds of his approximately fifty symphonies before turning twenty.
Performer Biography
Yuval Yaron, the violinist on this recording, won first prize at the Sibelius Competition in Helsinki in 1975 and is considered one of the world's top-ranking violinists.
You might also enjoy...
Mozart: Overture "Le Nozze di Figaro," Symphonies No. 39 & 41
Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro Overture; Symphonies No. 39 & 41
Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39-41 & Maurerische Trauermusik, K. 477
Mozart: Symphony No. 36 in C major, K425 "Linz"; Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K. 550; Roussel: Symphony No. 3 in G minor, op. 42
Mozart: The Beginning & The End
Mozart: Symphony Nos. 39 and 41 / La Clemenza Di Tito: Overture
Great Mozart Symphonies: No. 40; No. 41 "Jupiter"
Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 34 and 39 / Menuet in C Major
