The Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 20, by Camille Saint-Saëns is a piece for violin and orchestra written in 1859 and premiered in 1867 in Paris. Despite its numbering, this concerto was Saint-Saëns' second for the violin because it was published first. [1][2] This was the first in a string of collaborations with virtuoso violinist Pablo Sarasate, who was only 15 years old at the time. This concerto, along with No. 2 and No. 3, would result in a lifelong friendship and collaboration between Saint-Saëns and Sarasate. The work never gained much popularity during Saint-Saëns' lifetime, to his disappointment. [3]
| Violin Concerto | |
|---|---|
| by Camille Saint-Saëns | |
 | |
| Key | A Major |
| Opus | 20 |
| Period | Romantic |
| Genre | Concerto |
| Composed | 1859 |
| Movements | 1 |
| Scoring | Violin & Orchestra |
| Premiere | |
| Date | April 4, 1867 |
| Location | Paris |
| Conductor | Camille Saint-Saëns |
| Performers | Pablo de Sarasate, Paris Philharmonic |
Instrumentation
editThe work is scored for solo violin, 2 flutes/piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, and strings.[4]
Structure
editThe work is in only a single movement, labeled allegro.
The piece has a performance time of approximately 12 minutes, garnering criticism for its short length. Critics called the work a 'concert piece' because it is barely longer than other works of that label, much to the annoyance of Saint-Saëns himself. [3]
Notable recordings
edit- Ruggiero Ricci, violin, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conductor Max Rudolf. Record 1965
- Ivry Gitlis, violin, (with concerto n°4, op.62, unfinished), Orchestre National de Mont Carlo, conductor Edouard Van Remoortel. LP Philipps 1968 report CD 1998
- Ulf Hoelscher, violin, Complete Violin Concertos (n°1, n°2, n°3), New Philharmonia Orchestra, conductor Pierre Dervaux. Recorded 1977. 2 CD Brillant Classics 2012
- Philippe Graffin, violin, Complete Violin Concertos (n°1, n°2, n°3), Scottish Symphony Orchestra, conductor Martyn Brabbins. CD Hyperion 1998
- Fanny Clamagirand, violin, Complete Violin Concertos (n°1, n°2, n°3), Finlandia Jyväskilä, conductor Patrick Gallois. CD Naxos 2009
- Andrew Wan, violin, Complete Violin Concertos (n°1, n°2, n°3), Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conductor Kent Nagano. CD Analekta 2015
References
edit- ^ "Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20, Camille Saint-Saëns". Hollywood Bowl. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Saint-Saëns Violin Concertos Nos 1-3". Gramophone. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ a b Javotte (2015-06-16). "Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major Op. 20". The Complete Works of Camille Saint-Saens. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
- ^ "Violin Concerto No.1, Op.20 (Saint-Saëns, Camille) - IMSLP". imslp.org. Retrieved 2024-06-11.