Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto was commissioned by soap magnate Samuel Fels for his protégé, Iso Briselli, who later deemed the final movement 'unplayable'.
Instruments
Johan Dalene, the violinist on this recording, plays an Antonio Stradivarius violin from 1736, on loan from Anders Sveaas' Charitable Foundation.
Performer Biography
Johan Dalene, born in 2000, began playing the violin at age four and made his professional concerto debut three years later.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky composed his Violin Concerto with remarkable speed, completing the first movement in six days and the entire work, including orchestration, in just over three weeks.
Composer Biography
Tchaikovsky began composing his Violin Concerto during a personal crisis, having escaped a marriage he entered to 'conquer' his homosexuality and silence rumors.
Composition History
Tchaikovsky was inspired to write his Violin Concerto after playing Lalo's Symphonie espagnole with his former pupil, the violinist Iosif Kotek.
Critical Reception
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto was initially declared 'unplayable' by the renowned violinist Leopold Auer, and its 1881 premiere received a scathing review from critic Eduard Hanslick.
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