CD Listening Project #3
1) Title of the CD: Kyung Wha Chung – BRUCH Violin Concerto No.1 & Scottish Fantasia
2) Composer/s: Max Bruch
3) Performing artist/s: Kyung Wha Chung & Rudolph Kempe (Cond.) – Royal Phillharmonic Orchestra
4) Briefly discuss one major work on the CD and give your opinion of the work and the performance thereof on this particular CD
One of the pieces presented on this CD is Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1. It is said that Bruch had difficulty composing this piece, because it was his first major work. Joseph Joachim offered Bruch some advice, so Bruch gratefully took his suggestions. When the concerto was presented in its final form in 1868, Joachim was the soloist (Bruch also dedicated the score to him). Like most concertos, this one was also divided in to three movements.
Max Bruch
The 1st movement (Vorspiel: Allegro moderato) is a prelude that gives an impression of a smooth army march, yet an anticipatory prevails throughout. The slow second movement (Adagio) is well-known for the powerful melody (said to be the “heart” of the concerto). Then there are rich and elegant themes to keep the movement alive and flowing. The 3rd movement (Allegro energico) or the finale opens up with an intense, but quiet orchestral introduction. It follows through with an energetic dance-like theme, kind of like fireworks. The concerto ends with a massive accelerando, and concludes with two, grand chords.
I really love this piece because of the different emotions, and the dialogue between the solo and the orchestra.
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