Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No.1 was completed in 1948 but was quietly shelved by the composer until 1955 due to a severe critical attack in the Soviet press against him.
Composition History
Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.1 was written in 1917 but its premiere was delayed until 1923 due to the October Revolution and virtuosos turning down the chance to play it.
Performer Biography
Despite not pursuing a solo career, Steven Staryk became a renowned concertmaster, chosen by Sir Thomas Beecham to lead the Royal Philharmonic at age 24, and later serving the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra and Chicago Symphony.
Composition History
Fritz Kreisler, a virtuoso violinist and composer, published pieces under the title 'Classical Manuscripts' in 1905, claiming to have found and arranged them, but later confessed he had composed them himself 'in the style' of other composers.
Performer Biography
Staryk's international concert career was hindered by McCarthy-era politics, which barred him from playing in the United States, and his aversion to publicity.
Compositional Technique
Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No.1 has an unusual structure with two slow outer movements framing a brilliant scherzo, which emphasizes its essential lyricism.
Performer Biography
Steven Staryk, born in Toronto in 1932 to Ukrainian immigrants, was considered the finest violinist ever to come out of Canada.
