Sibelius: Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47

Description

The most frequently recorded and performed among the violin concertos written in the 20th century, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) began planning for the work in 1899. Delayed by a move to Helsinki and the composer's increasing addiction to alcohol, Sibelius began work earnestly in 1903 and into 1904, with an intention to dedicate the work to an acquaintance, Willy Burmester, who was to premiere the work. Financial considerations resulted in the premiere being rushed, with a less well-known local violinist named Victor Novácek asked to learn a very difficult violin concerto in very little time, to perform with the Helsinki Philharmonic on February 8, 1904 under the composer's baton. The failure that followed compelled Sibelius to withdraw the work as written. He revised the work in 1905, making cuts and changes to the harmony and orchestration. The revised version was premiered on October 19, 1905, with soloist Karel Halír performing with the Berlin Court Orchestra, Richard Strauss conducting. The work would fully enter the repertoire following the first recording made by the great Jascha Heifetz in 1935. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 4.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Violin.