Concerto No.1 in G Minor, Op.26, for violin and piano; Max Bruch (International)

Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op.26 for violin and piano by Max Bruch

Edited by Zino Francescatti. Published by International

Max Bruch (1838-1920) was a German romantic composer who wrote in the conservative tradition of Mendelssohn and Brahms. He had a strong sense of form and a special gift for lush, expressive melodic writing. Though he wrote over 200 works, he is almost exclusively known for three works: his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, the ''Scottish Fantasy'' for violin and orchestra, and ''Kol Nidrei'' for cello and orchestra.

Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op.26 (1866) is his most enduring work. Virtuoso Joseph Joachim championed the violin concertos of Beethoven, Brahms, and Mendelssohn, but ranked Bruch's highest, calling it "the richest, the most seductive" of all. Its perfect balance of lyricism, virtuosity, approachability, and bravado has made it a favorite of students and professionals alike. It remains one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertory. Advanced level, Grade 5.