BEETHOVEN Violin Concerto | He Ziyu

Franz Clement was a violinist, conductor of the Theater an der Wien in Vienna, and a friend of Beethoven. The young Clement had given Beethoven useful advice when the latter was writing his opera Fidelio, and Beethoven returned the favour with a violin concerto in 1806. So far so good, but Beethoven was slow and finished the solo part so late that Clement had to sight read part of the performance.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 (1806)
I. Allegro ma non troppo 0:00
II. Larghetto 26:23
III. Rondo. Allegro 25:28
Applause 45:58

The first movement Allegro ma non troppo opens with four timpani strokes, almost like a jazz drummer’s "a one two three four", which turn out to be the rhythmic basis of the whole movement as it gets reinterpreted and recast throughout. The soloist’s entrance is preceded by a long orchestra introduction some three minutes long – this was considered rather too avant garde by the early audiences, as it summarises the entire thematic content – perhaps they thought it gave too much away too early?

The Larghetto which follows has muted strings introduce the principal idea, which simplicity is then developed and ornamented by the soloist. Similarly, the orchestra gives the second theme, which the violin expands and comments upon like a series of variations. Both themes are revisited and the movement ends with a serene coda.

The catchy rondo bubbles over with energy and liveliness. A brief minor-key episode of great beauty features the bassoon in a moment that is unfortunately not repeated. A general merry folk-dance mood permeates the entire movement, with horns adding pastoral punctuation. Meanwhile the violin negotiates the most difficult writing in the entire concerto – Beethoven has saved the best for last. The concerto thins out at the end playfully but closes suddenly with a pair of hammered orchestral chords in which we see a younger and jollier Beethoven to contrast with the usual image of the surly, serious composer. (Edward C. Yong)

He Ziyu, violin @ziyuhe6979
Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Hans Graf, Music Director

Recorded on 21 Jan 2022 at the Esplanade Concert Hall, Singapore. The reduced orchestra size and use of masks is mandated by official rules in force during the pandemic.