Violin Concerto No. 4 (Paganini)

Violin Concerto No. 4 in D minor, MS 60 is a concerto written by Nicolo Paganini composed in the fall of 1829.

History

This concerto was first performed in Germany, where it had been composed while Paganini was touring there.[1] The "official" premiere was in March 1831 in Paris.[2] Spohr said the recently composed work "alternately charms and repels" and was a mix of "genius, childishness, and lack or taste."[1] Paganini closely guarded the manuscript, taking it with him on his travels. The orchestral score was bought by a paper dealer 1936, from the descendants of Paganini. This orchestral score was bought by Natale Gallini, but the solo violin part was unaccounted for. Mr. Gallini made it a personal crusade to find the missing part, and eventually it was located in a collection of music which had belonged to Giovanni Bottesini, a double-bass player. Mr. Gallini at this point gave the complete musical score to his son, conductor Franco Gallini. With Arthur Grumiaux on the violin, the work received its "Second World Premiere" on November 7, 1954, again in Paris.[3]

Form

The concerto follows the standard form consisting of three movements, fast - slow - fast, as popularized by Antonio Vivaldi in the late-17th and early-18th centuries.[4]

First movement: Allegro maestoso

The first movement begins with a powerful Beethoven-esque theme consisting of a six-note melody, played by the viola and violin sections, punctuated by strong and syncopated lower-octave accents by the remainder of the orchestra. After dancing together down the D minor scale, the two string sections soar even higher to the perfect fifth, before finding resolution via a broken two-octave arpeggio in D harmonic minor. (This initial theme is the basis for most of the variations throughout the concerto.)

The loud and strong fifteen-second statement is followed by a brief respid where the strings play smoothly with sublime qualities incorporating string-plucking (a now-popular technique made famous by Paganini). After two repetitions of these contrasting segments with slight variations, the soloist enters boldly and alone, expounding upon the main theme with a fantastical and virtuosic ascending arpeggiated run. The colorful, bright notes take the listener through the highest register of the violin, pushing the limits not only of the instrument but also of the performer. Without compromising feel, melody, or the contiguous nature of the music, Paganini has already blended strength, passion, and technical wizardry in less than ten seconds of this solo passage. Proceeding with extended lyrical melodies highlighted by trills, staccato 32nd notes, arpeggios, double-stops, and vibrato on the highest of notes, the dance-like nature of the music is never completely lost.

After an interplay with the orchestra, the 2nd solo opens with a chromatic sequence using the raised 4th and descends using the 'b' natural note creating a Spanish flavor in the key of A minor. This passage also hints at Paganini's more comical side while further demonstrating his command of the instrument with string-skipping, chromatic runs, double-stop slides in tenths, and fluid scale runs.

At the twelve-minute mark, another brief interplay with the orchestra is immediately followed by the cadenza. Implementing all of the aforementioned techniques, as well as diminished arpeggios, the rapid-fire bowing of broken chords, and left-hand finger plucking, the soloist is finally joined by the rest of the "band" for a galloping climatic conclusion.

Second movement: Adagio flebile con sentimento (attaca -)

The second movement is aptly titled Adagio flebile con sentimento. Though renowned for his dazzling virtuosity and unrivaled skills, here Paganini elegantly bares his soul. The central section of this movement consists of a dialogue between the soloist and the orchestra, followed by a repeat of the opening solo, little varied from the original presentation. The movement ends with a coda, utilizing obstinate basses and violin thirds.[3]

Third movement: Rondo galante. Andantino gaio

The movement consists of alternating solo and tutti. A trio section features an opening fanfare by trumpets, but a quiet violin solo ensues. The concerto is brought to a close by the full orchestra, with the solo instrument playing double notes in the high register for contrast.[3]

Recordings

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Leonard, James (2005). All music guide to classical music: the definitive guide to classical music. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 971. ISBN 0879308656. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  2. ↑ Kolneder, Walter (1993). The Amadeus Book of the Violin: Construction, History, and Music. Pauly, Reinhard (tr). Amadeus Press  – via Questia (subscription required) . p. 394. ISBN 1574670387.
  3. 1 2 3 Gallini, Franco (1955). Nicolo Paganini: Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 4 in D minor (LP Record). Arthur Grumiaux. Philips. A 00741 R.
  4. ↑ http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/vivaldi.html
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