Composer Max Bruch titled this concerto’s opening section “Prelude”, implying that it serves primarily as an introduction to the more important second movement, the adagio.
The prelude opens in an air of quiet, brooding melancholy before breaking out into a full-blown and impassioned allegro. It builds up to two major climaxes before dying away in emotional exhaustion.
Bruch then moves without pause into the heartfelt central adagio. This begins in a prayer-like atmosphere, then gradually gains both in activity and expressiveness. It features some of the most beautiful writing in the entire literature for violin.
Bruch concludes the concerto with a propulsive, gypsy-flavored finale. It anticipates the last movement of the concerto that Johannes Brahms wrote 10 years later, a work also dedicated to, and premiered by, Joseph Joachim. It’s definitely a dance, but in keeping with the concerto’s overall character, it’s still a rather serious one.
Here is Maria Duenas to play this great music for you:
