Concerto in D major for Violin and Orchestra, op. 61 LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Violinist Franz Clement (1780-1842) was a renowned musician in his day - a Wunderkind who became a virtuoso soloist, a composer, concertmaster and conductor of the Viennese Theater an der Wien Orchestra. His name is remembered nowadays also for being, at the age of 26, the soloist and conductor at the premiere of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in Vienna, on 23 December 1806. Beethoven wrote the Concerto for him and probably took into consideration his typical style of playing, which was characterized by a lyrical sound, sensitive expression, complete technical control, immaculate precision and at the same time inner elation. For the 36 year old Beethoven this was a prolific creative period and one of the happiest times of his stormy life. That same year he also completed his Fourth Symphony, the Fourth Piano concerto, Leonore Overture no. 3 and the three Razumovsky Quartets. According to some rumors, Beethoven completed the Concerto at the last moment, even though he jotted down detailed sketches and ideas in his notebook well in advance. Clement did not have time to rehearse with the orchestra and had to play prima vista and lead the orchestra at the same time. As was customary at the time, the long work was played in two parts, so as not to tire the audience. After the first movement Clement played a work he himself had written - Variations for solo violin played upside down - followed by the remaining two movements of Beethoven's Concerto. The concert also included works by Méhul, Handel, Mozart and Cherubini. Despite its unprecedented symphonic dimensions, the audience responded favorably to the Concerto, but the music critics and several musicians were more reserved and found flaws in it. Successful violinists at the time were reluctant to play the work, which demands profound understanding and imagination, and not only brilliant technical ability. Following the advice of his friend, composer and publisher Muzio Clementi, Beethoven wrote a version for piano and orchestra, which in time sank into oblivion, in an attempt to bring the Concerto back to the concert halls. Only in May 1844, 38 years after its Viennese premiere, was the Concerto rediscovered when 13 year old Hungarian-Jewish violinist Joseph Joachim dared to play it, with great success, at a concert in London conducted by Felix Mendelssohn. The English reviews stated that "he played it wonderfully, with rare inspiration and authority". Joachim, who was later known as the greatest violinist of his time, included the Concerto in his ca. 42 mins. Allegro, ma non troppo Larghetto Rondo: Allegro Cadences by Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)
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