Concerto for violin and orchestra (D major) op. 61
Listening samples
Dedication
Composition
November-December 1806, revised latter April - early May 1807
Beethoven's Violin Concerto is not his first work for solo violin and orchestra. It was preceded by an early concerto (WoO 5), of which only a fragment remains, and the two Romances opp. 40 and 50.
His only completed violin concerto was composed in the two last months of 1806 at the special request of a virtuoso: Franz Clement, who played it at his academy on 23 December 1806. It was written at short notice and, to quote Thayer, Clement sight-read it 'without any rehearsal beforehand'. After the première Beethoven revised the solo part; the revised version can be clearly distinguished from the first stage in the autograph score.
Beethoven returned to the Violin Concerto at the end of April 1807. On 20 April 1807 he sold several works, including the concerto, to the London publisher and pianist Muzio Clementi. Clementi not only published the actual violin concerto but also initiated an arrangement of it for piano and orchestra. While preparing the arrangement in May and June 1807 Beethoven again revised the solo violin part. This final version of this part is the one we know today. Interestingly, the piano version was published at least six months before the 'original' for violin and orchestra. (J.R.)
His only completed violin concerto was composed in the two last months of 1806 at the special request of a virtuoso: Franz Clement, who played it at his academy on 23 December 1806. It was written at short notice and, to quote Thayer, Clement sight-read it 'without any rehearsal beforehand'. After the première Beethoven revised the solo part; the revised version can be clearly distinguished from the first stage in the autograph score.
Beethoven returned to the Violin Concerto at the end of April 1807. On 20 April 1807 he sold several works, including the concerto, to the London publisher and pianist Muzio Clementi. Clementi not only published the actual violin concerto but also initiated an arrangement of it for piano and orchestra. While preparing the arrangement in May and June 1807 Beethoven again revised the solo violin part. This final version of this part is the one we know today. Interestingly, the piano version was published at least six months before the 'original' for violin and orchestra. (J.R.)
