P.I. Tchaikovsky Concerto for violin and orchestra
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a brilliant Russian composer whose work has enriched not only Russian, but also the entire world musical culture. Among the great variety of the composer's magnificent creations, there is one essay that deserves special attention - this is the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. In the most beautiful music of the work, which impresses with its extraordinary virtuosity, light flight, refined grace, temperament and richness of color are organically combined. However, the most valuable thing in the essay is that Tchaikovsky, who vividly reflected the highest spiritual harmony in him, showed that a person, despite all the problems of life, can be happy.
History of creation
1877 was very difficult in the life of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. After an unsuccessful marriage to Antonina Milyukova, the composer, being in a state of depression, which led him to think about suicide, decided to urgently leave Russia. Intending to overcome a severe mental crisis, on the recommendation of doctors in September, he went to Italy and then moved to Switzerland in February. Having settled in the small village of Claran, the composer forced himself to work in the mornings, and then regularly went on walks to admire the environs of Lake Geneva. Gradually, the dismal mood of Pyotr Ilyich began to improve, and he became calmer. Friends also did not leave the maestro without attention, for example, once he came to visit Iosif Kotek, a violinist whom Tchaikovsky once taught theoretical disciplines. In order to entertain his teacher and friend a little, Kotek brought with him notes of the latest works for violin accompanied by a symphony orchestra, among which the maestro showed particular interest in composing the Frenchman Edouard Lalo. His violin concerto served as an inspiration for Tchaikovsky to create the same work, especially since he already had experience writing in this genre.
At the creation of the concert, Pyotr Ilyich left only a month, starting work in early March 1878, on the 16th he finished it in a sketch version. Then, after rewriting the second part, which he considered to be not very successful, by April 20 he had completed the instrumentation of his new creation. The first time the piece sounded in a narrow circle of friends and acquaintances. Joseph Kotek was the soloist on the violin, and the author himself accompanied him on the piano. The premiere performance of the concert on the big stage was held in Vienna in early December 1881. The talented violinist Adolf Brodsky performed as a soloist.
Interesting Facts
- The concerto for violin and orchestra by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is based on the composition of musicians for a piece rather difficult to perform. Therefore, many famous world-class violinists consider it prestigious to have this composition by the great maestro in their repertoire. It should also be noted that the concert is now mandatory for the participants in the Tchaikovsky Competition in the nomination "violin" in the most intense final round.
- With the dedication of the "Concert" a very interesting story occurred that deserves special attention. Initially, Tchaikovsky intended to dedicate it to his friend Iosif Kotek, since it was he who inspired the maestro to write this masterpiece. However, due to frequent disagreements between his friends, Peter Ilyich changed his mind. The second contender for dedication was the famous violinist Leopold Auer. But here there was an incident. Leopold Semenovich, having received a work in which his name had already been printed on the title page, familiarized himself with the musical material and expressed his assumption that the violin part requires editing as it is not convenient for performance. Having met such a peculiar refusal with great chagrin, Tchaikovsky subsequently made a change of dedication. The following editions of the concert were published with the name of Adolf Brodsky, who became the first performer of the work, as well as its promoter, not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
- Not all violinists, performing Tchaikovsky's concert, know that today it sounds completely different from what the author intended. The first edition he underwent during the life of the composer. The famous violinist Leopold Auer, who was the first to receive a proposal from the composer to perform the work, initially refused, but then still played it, but with significant changes that he himself made to the violin part, greatly easing difficult places. Subsequently, the outstanding Soviet violinist David Oistrakh, having edited the material of the concert in his own way, made a number of recordings of the work, which then set a certain standard for the performance of the great maestro's masterpiece.
- Violin Concerto Music PI Tchaikovsky is quite often used in cinema, but I especially want to mention two full-length films. The first film by American director Charles Widor "Rhapsody" (1954) in the title role with the inimitable Elizabeth Taylor and the second - by French director Radu Mihilyanu "Concert" (2009). In it, the great work of the ingenious Russian composer is used as a central pivot, around which the whole plot line is twisted.
Content
It is safe to say that during the creation of the violin concerto Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky felt a great surge of creative power and inspiration. His emotional uplift was vividly reflected in the expressive melodic material that he built into a harmonious and balanced composition.
The concert includes three parts (the second and the third are usually performed without interruption).
Part one (D-dur). Allegro moderato. Moderato assai. It all starts with a small introduction that sets up a bright lyrical mood, and also casually leads to a majestically beautiful and noble main part. In the process of development, its theme, revealing its versatility, is significantly transformed and acquires new properties: it becomes more energetic and strong-willed. The following by-party, which grows out of an unpretentious chanting motive, is distinguished by feminine tenderness and soft lyricism. The topic, gradually expanding and increasing in the range up to two octaves, becomes expressive, plastic and melodicly wide. Subsequently, the motives of the main and secondary party, not so much contrasting as complementing each other, are intertwined in development, and besides, they flourish more brightly and more beautifully.
Part two (g-moll). Canzonetta Andante. This is a miniature dreamy elegy, which can surely be called the “song without words”. Beautiful soft and very sensual melodic line of the middle section does not have a clear contrast with the previous part and sounds like an enthusiastic admiration and admiration for light ideals.
Part three. The final. Allegro vivacissimo. In the final part, written in the form of a rondo-sonata, according to the tradition established in the works of Pyotr Ilyich, a folk festival filled with impetuous glee is displayed. The main party is a fast-paced dance theme, which is very similar to the perky Russian folk dance "Trepak". The cheerful motive of actively developing, takes on an increasingly daring character, but then suddenly ends to give way to a secondary party. With its sweeping and harsh character, it is contrasted with the previous topic, besides, in the process of development it changes a lot, becoming melodious and sensual. The final of the work is an irrepressible and exultant triumph calling for vitality and optimism.
Concerto for violin and orchestra Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky occupies a worthy place in the world treasury of musical art. More than a hundred years have passed since the great composer presented his outstanding creation to the world, and since its appearance it has not ceased to delight listeners with its brilliance, light and optimism.
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