Tchaikovsky's original slow movement for the Violin Concerto was discarded and later became the first of three violin and piano pieces in his cycle Souvenir d'un lieu cher.
Composer Biography
Carl Nielsen, the composer of the second violin concerto on this album, made a living for many years as a second violinist in the Royal Theatre orchestra in Copenhagen.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky began composing his Violin Concerto after a period of personal crisis and an extended recuperative journey through Europe.
Critical Reception
The premiere of Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in Vienna on December 4, 1881, drew a notorious comment from critic Eduard Hanslick, who said it was music you could 'hear stink'.
Composition History
Nielsen's Violin Concerto was likely composed for Peder Møller, the foremost Danish violinist of the day, who learned the demanding solo part in two weeks and premiered it in 1912.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Both Tchaikovsky and Nielsen, despite their differing artistic priorities, were fanatical devotees of Mozart, declaring this allegiance more openly than any to Beethoven.
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