Time for a new genre! Having heard a lot of strings over the course of this project, I’m curious how Mozart handled a solo player who could really show off a bit.
The Recording
I’m listening to Nikolaus Harnoncourt lead the Vienna Philharmonic with Gidon Kremer on solo violin.
Violin Concerto no. 1 in B Flat Major, K. 207
1. Allegro moderato
- Very active orchestra.
- Horns quite prominent.
- Pretty virtuosic from start.
- Long sequential pattern in development.
- Orchestral build up to cadenza is thrilling if brief.
2. Adagio
- Slow but active orchestra. Violas and second violins keep this movement going.
- Really backs off for entrance of soloist.
- Melody is fine, but it’s really the overall color of the piece – the little touches here and there – that make this interesting. There’s a lot happening.
3. Presto
- Check out passed accompaniments between orchestral strings. Cool.
- Yay, woodwind interjections.
- Lots of fireworks from soloist.
- There are a few Ethel Merman-type downward shooting intervals. Ha.
Takeaways?
I don’t think there’s much that’s really surprising her, but it is an enjoyable piece. The one thing that surprised me was how mature the back and forth between the soloist and orchestra was. The soloist got to play some fun things, but I mostly paid attention to the activity of the orchestra, which provided a lot of musical depth throughout the concerto.
Until next time.
