Johann Strauss II - Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz), Op. 437

Strauss often played in the glittering Imperial balls, conducting the orchestra and playing the first violin at the same time.   The majestic launch of this fascinating waltz presents the backdrop of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the hegemony of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1888. Johann Strauss II was Music Director of the Dance Hesperides of the Imperial Court from 1863 to 1872 and composed on occasion for the celebration of an imperial anniversary. The ingenuity of the melody of the Emperor Waltz, which was originally orchestrated for a full orchestra, is such that it was easily adapted for the four or five instruments of a chamber ensemble by the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg in 1925. This waltz is a tender and somewhat melancholic work, which at times turns its gaze nostalgically to the old Vienna. The waltz praises the majesty and dignity of the old monarch, who was fully devoted to his people. It begins with a majestic, magnificent march, which soon re
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Mendelssohn - Violin concerto in E minor, Op. 64

An image of Leipzig, the city that Mendelssohn promoted to the cultural capital of Europe and where his Violin Concerto in E minor was first presented.


Mendelssohn spent the summer of 1844 touring for a series of concerts for the eighth time in England. His holiday followed at the end of July in the small town of Bad Soden, near Frankfurt. During his stay there, he composed this Violin Concerto in E minor, Opus 64.

It premiered in Leipzig seven months later, on March 13, 1845. The concerto was performed by his friend, the eminent violinist Ferdinand David, who had assisted Mendelssohn in various technical details relating to the violin part. Mendelssohn was too ill to direct the concerto and ceded the director's job to Nils Wilhelm Gade's assistant.


Movements:

I. Allegro molto appassionato

The first movement begins with a lively but simple melody where the violin hovers over the orchestra singing cheerfully -  unusual for a minor tone. The theme develops and passes to the orchestra, while the violin plays strong sequences of chords (two strings at the same time) and arpeggio that go up and down the scale. A melody prepares the way for the introduction of the second theme. The solo violin lowers to a restrained G and the woodwinds introduce a quieter theme. This theme develops, repeats and alternates related to the first melody before a dazzling cadenza follows. Unaccompanied solo violin makes a spectacular show followed by the lively return of the two previous themes. The music rises in an impressive escalation.


II. Andante

Then follows the second movement, the slow Andante, dominated by a lyrical, dreamy and subtle melody. As at the end of the first part, the transition to the final part is achieved with great skill.


III. Allegreto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace

In the third movenemt, Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace, the music ceases but wakes up again and unfolds politely to prevent a double fanfare and some vivid decorations, with the violin lively in a particularly vigorous place.





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