Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1 began with a long violin melody composed during his first serious love affair, a songful quality that was unusual for his typically 'brutal' and 'mischievous' style.
Performer Biography
Tianwa Yang, the violinist on this recording, performs on a Guarneri del Gesù violin from 1730, on loan from the Rin Collection in Singapore.
Composition History
The Violin Concerto No. 1 was inspired by Prokofiev's encounter with the violinist Paweł Kochański, whose sweet-toned playing and use of multiple string tremolandi deeply impressed the composer.
Composition History
The Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 115, was commissioned by the Soviet Union's Committee on Arts Affairs for an ensemble of talented child violinists to play in unison.
Composer Biography
Prokofiev, though a pianist, developed a strong affinity for the violin, an instrument he first encountered at age eleven when his teacher Reinhold Glière brought his own violin to their lessons.
Notable Performances
The Sonata for Solo Violin, Op. 115, was never performed during Prokofiev's lifetime, with its premiere taking place more than six years after his death by Ruggiero Ricci in Moscow.
Compositional Technique
Prokofiev consciously changed his style to a 'new simplicity' for his Violin Concerto No. 2, making it more emotionally reserved and muted compared to the shimmering First Concerto.
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