2. Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings, and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1043: I. Vivace Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) This is Bach’s only concerto for 2 violins (2 soloists) Note the long introduction before the soloists appear Composed for strings and continuo (note the use of the harpsichord) Listen for the interplay between the solo violins Listen for repetitions (at least partial or altered) of the opening orchestral material that serves as bridges between the passages played by the soloists Note how the music maintains a constant rhythmic pulse – called “motor- rhythmic” – this is common for music of the Baroque

3. Violin concerto in E minor, Op. 64: III. Allegro Molto Vivace Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Violin concerto in 3 movements, premiered in 1845 Unique in the fact that the three movements are linked, with no pause between them Eliminates long orchestral introduction that was common before (note the trumpet fanfare that begins the movement Structured in sonata form (exposition, development, recapitulation – and coda) Note how the solo violin part is technically demanding – Mendelssohn conferred constantly with David over a 6-year period composing the piece Composed for violin soloist and full classical orchestra (not as large an orchestra as Brahms used) Composed for a particular soloist in mind, his childhood friend Ferdinand David

4. Max Bruch (1838-1920) German composer, teacher, and conductor of the Romantic Era Composed over 200 pieces, including 3 violin concertos His Violin Concerto #1 in G minor employs many of the same techniques as Mendelssohn’s, including eliminating the long orchestral introduction and linking of the three movements Music is passionate, seductive, full of emotion Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26: Vorspiel (Allegro Moderato) Note the opening of the soloist’s material is almost improvisational Listen for how the solo part is technically demanding (like Mendelssohn) Listen also for the frequent use of “double-stops” by the soloist (two notes played simultaneously) and trills (rapidly moving back and forth between two notes) Not as structured as Classical and Baroque works (unlike Mendelssohn’s concerto) New melodies, ideas are introduced throughout there are many changes in tempo and mood throughout Listen for the opening “improvisatory” solo material returns towards the end