Topping the Hall of Fame chart in UK's classical station, Classic FM, for consecutive 4 years, the popularity of Bruch's Violin Concerto in G minor remains undisputed. Hopefully by describing in words will help you enjoy the music even more.
The violin concerto starts with an
Allegro as its first movement. Amidst the drums, the woodwinds introduce us to a grave start, and then the solo violin takes over. With the mastery of using arpeggios, the emotional depth is easily evident. As the second part of the solo violin proceeds, a sudden loud chord echoes, and the excitement begins. Using double-stopping extensively, every single note played is charged with emotion, and you will understand it if you play the piece itself. The tone of the sound, added with full-blooded vibrato, literally makes the piece moan with saddened dignity. After around two and a half minutes, the first theme changes to a soothing major key, highly reminiscent of Bruch equally evocative
Scottish Fantasy. Whenever I listen to this part I like visualizing a picturesque landscape because this part would depict the whole scenery so vividly. The second theme lasts slightly shorter than 2 minutes, when dramatically the part of the first theme is repeated. The music rises with intensity as the orchestra takes over. Then the beginning of the movement is repeated again with slight variation on the solo violin -- the solemn majesty returns. The orchestra further continues as a transition between the first and second movement, and what touching melody by the romantic Bruch!
I always think that the heart of a concerto lies in its slow movement. The Adagio starts without a stop from the first movement, when the violin starts playing softly on the note G. Immediately an expressive sense of romanticism exudes. Since the key is in major, it gives the listener a feeling of sheer tranquility. Within slightly less than 3 minutes (this varies depending on different recordings), the melody becomes more and more intense with higher and higher notes as the violin plays louder and louder. Charging up with emotion, the violin reaches the first climax. Then with a series of arpeggios, the entire melody becomes so soothing again. The theme is repeated again, with the orchestra commanding. The movement reaches the second climax; afterwards the violin plays with variations, repeating the theme again. Before the movement ends, the violin leads us to the final climax, although not as intense, but still a sighing farewell to the achingly romantic piece.
