Glazunov ~ Violin Concerto in a minor

Theron Welch ~ Electric Guitar

Glazunov

Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936)
Violin Concerto in a Minor, 1904

I.  Moderato
II.  Andante sostenuto
III.  Allegro

Listen to a sample from the first movment.

 Take a look at a sample of the score (pdf format).

Recorded at "The Bedside", Bellevue, WA
Mastered by Neal Staats of Denver, CO
Photography by Kris Stanton (well, not Glazunov himself)

Other recordings:

 February 2003 - Approximately one year later after the idea, after four and a half months in a cast from a broken wrist, I transcribed, learned, and recorded Glazunov's Violin Concerto in a Minor.  Like the Bruch g minor, this was another favorite of mine, although a bit more subdued. 

So why do I like this particular piece so much and why did I choose to learn and record it?  Well, mostly for the mood of the piece but also for so much more tangible aspects.  The opening is Mendelssohnesque; the violin (or the guitar) enters in the first measure and sets a tone of melancholy reverie with its colorful chromaticism.  The score is set in usual three movements but played continuously.  The first two continue this pattern of great dreamy Romanticism and the first theme makes its play now and again throughout the second movement.  After a burst of technical fireworks over pizzicato, the piece becomes very agitated with superbly written double stops.  A monstrously difficult cadenza leads to the contrasting third movement beginning with a bright trumpet fanfare.  The conclusion is a brilliant ride of virtuoso passages that leaves performer tired and listener satisfied.

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