Stravinsky & Glass: Violin Concertos

Swiss violinist David Nebel, born in 1996, is the soloist in two works: Philip Glass’s Violin Concerto of 1987, written with his late father in mind, and Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto of 1931, a key work of his neoclassical period. Nebel is joined by the Baltic Sea Philharmonic for the Stravinsky, and the London Symphony Orchestra for the Glass, both times conducted by Kristjan Järvi.

Featuring

David Nebel
Kristjan Järvi
London Symphony Orchestra
Baltic Sea Philharmonic
Philip Glass
Igor Stravinsky

Did you know?

1/7

Composition History

Igor Stravinsky, a pianist, was initially unfamiliar with the violin's technical potential and only agreed to compose his Violin Concerto after Paul Hindemith convinced him that his lack of experience could lead to new solutions.

Composer Biography

Philip Glass, the composer of the Violin Concerto No. 1, learned to play the violin at the age of six, though he did not write his first large-scale orchestral work until he was fifty.

Compositional Technique

Igor Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D major, composed in his Neoclassical period, explores Baroque forms, particularly the concerto grosso principle, giving solo passages to orchestral musicians.

Performer Biography

The Baltic Sea Philharmonic, one of the orchestras on this album, performs entire programs from memory, creating a unique artistic journey for each concert.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Philip Glass composed his Violin Concerto No. 1 with his father, Ben, in mind, aiming to create a piece that his father, who loved classical music and violin concertos, would have enjoyed.

Compositional Technique

The opening chord of each movement in Stravinsky's Violin Concerto in D major requires such a wide reach (d'' - e'' - a''') that it is not anatomically possible for every violinist to perform.

Instruments

David Nebel, the violinist on this album, plays on a fine old Italian violin by Antonio Stradivari, kindly loaned by Florian Leonhard Fine Violins, London.