The Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82, by
Alexander Glazunov
Alexander Konstantinovich Glazunov; ger, Glasunow (, 10 August 1865 – 21 March 1936) was a Russian composer, music teacher, and conductor of the late Russian Romantic period. He was director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory between 1905 ...
is one of his most popular compositions. Written in 1904, the concerto was dedicated to violinist
Leopold Auer
Leopold von Auer ( hu, Auer Lipót; June 7, 1845July 15, 1930) was a Hungarian violinist, academic, conductor, composer, and instructor. Many of his students went on to become prominent concert performers and teachers.
Early life and career
Au ...
, who gave the first performance at a
Russian Musical Society
The Russian Musical Society (RMS) (russian: Русское музыкальное общество) was the first music school in Russia open to the general public. It was launched in 1859 by the Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna and Anton Rubinstei ...
concert in
St. Petersburg
Saint Petersburg ( rus, links=no, Санкт-Петербург, a=Ru-Sankt Peterburg Leningrad Petrograd Piter.ogg, r=Sankt-Peterburg, p=ˈsankt pʲɪtʲɪrˈburk), formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), i ...
on 15 February 1905. The British premiere of the concerto followed just over a year later, under the direction of
Sir Henry Wood and with
Mischa Elman
Mischa (Mikhail Saulovich) Elman (russian: Михаил Саулович Эльман; January 20, 1891April 5, 1967) was a Russian-born American violinist famed for his passionate style, beautiful tone, and impeccable artistry and musicality.
E ...
as soloist.
The violin concerto is quite representative of Glazunov's technically brilliant style. There are no pauses or numbered sections in the concerto; it is nevertheless often described as consisting of either three or four movements, which may be variously labeled.
[CD EMI ZDMF-0777-764831A: Nathan Milstein, William Steinberg: Pittsburgh Symphony Orch, 1957: I. Moderato – Tranquillo; II. Andante – Tempo I – Cadenza; III. Animando – Allegro – Più animando] The slow second movement is seamlessly inserted by the composer into the middle of the first movement, which is an original and rare structural peculiarity of this composition.
The main cadenza at the end of the first movement was composed by Glazunov himself. It utilizes extensive double-stopping technique and is considered one of the most difficult parts of the concerto.
References
6. CD BMG 74321-63470-2: Jascha Heifetz, Walter Hendl: RCA Victor Symphony Orch, 1963: I. Moderato – II. Andante sostenuto – III. Tempo I – IV. Allegro
External links
Compositions by Alexander Glazunov
Glazunov Glazunov (; feminine: Glazunova) is a Russian surname that may refer to:
*Alexander Glazunov (1865–1936), Russian composer
** Glazunov Glacier in Antarctica named after Alexander
* Andrei Glazunov, 19th-century Russian trade expedition leader
* An ...
1904 compositions
Compositions in A minor
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