Description

The second violin concerto of the Polish violinist and composer Henri Wieniawski (1835-1880) is regarded alongside the works of Niccolo Paganini, the concertos of Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy and Max Bruch, as among the most famous virtuoso violin compositions of the 19th century.

The Violin Concerto No. 2 in d minor, op. 22, for violin and orchestra with movements entitled Allegro moderato – Romanze – Finale à la Zingara, was conceived in 1862 and in November of that year the work was given its premiere performance in its initial form, under the direction of Anton Rubinstein in St. Petersburg, to enthusiastic reviews. The genesis of this piece is thus closely linked to Wieniawski’s tenure at the St. Petersburg Conservatory (1862-1868), whose routine stimulated him to the consummation of his brilliant violin technique and to new compositions as well.
As opposed to his Violin Concerto No.1, the second, dedicated to Pablo Sarasate, is concerned less with violinistic bravura. Artful passagework and technical effects on the violin are interwoven in a highly detailed musical structure. The first movement, Allegro moderato, has a nearly symphonic character and features a dramatic and challenging dialogue between the violin and the equally weighted orchestral music. The contrasting second movement, Romanze, is a lyrical sequence (Andante ma non troppo) which strongly distinguishes itself both from the first movement, and following a short transition (Allegro con fuoco), also the third movement (Allegro moderato). In the finale, entitled à la Zingara, the composer demonstrates through numerous virtuostic figures that  he is a true master of his instrument.