The violin concerto by Brahms showcased the virtuosic talents of his longtime friend, the Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim.
Both men participated in its premiere (Brahms as conductor) in Leipzig on January 1, 1879. The work, which is known for its lyrical melodies and rich orchestration, melded the sense of grandeur present in Beethoven’s Violin Concerto (which Joachim particularly loved) and the flavor of the Hungarian folk rhythms of Joachim’s native land.
Now it is more than 200 years later, and a violin competition by the name of the “Joachim Competition” was won by violinist Maria Ioudenitch in 2021. She was able to use Joseph Joachim’s Stradivari fiddle when she played the Brahms concerto. Imagine the thrill of that experience!
