Favorite 20th Century Violin Concertos

[DavidW]

I've never heard the Part, Gubaidulina, Adams or Dutilleux concertos. The rest I own.

Sarge

I've heard most of them too, but I guess the tables would be turned if this was favorite 20th century operas!  Knight would know all of them, and I only know three!

I think I'll annoy MI some more by pointing out that he forgot Norgard and Frankel.

[springrite]

I think I'll annoy MI some more by pointing out that he forgot Norgard and Frankel.

Not to mention Brian, Egge, Ponce, Piston... just to name a few more. 

[DavidW]

Not to mention Brian, Egge, Ponce, Piston... just to name a few more. 

Oh wait I really like those Piston concertos, how could I forget?!

[Brahmsian]

I've already voted for my four.  Just remembered another popular 20th VC.  Korngold's.

[DavidW]

I've already voted for my four.  Just remembered another popular 20th VC.  Korngold's.

Holy cow! You're right that is not on the list, that is pretty famous one too.   Korngold is always a guilty pleasure of mine.

[springrite]

Holy cow! You're right that is not on the list, that is pretty famous one too.   Korngold is always a guilty pleasure of mine.

Sometime guilt only add to the pleasure. 

[Mirror Image]

I've already voted for my four.  Just remembered another popular 20th VC.  Korngold's.

Damn I knew I was missing a very important one. I'm usually not impressed with Korngold, but his VC is actually quite good. Oh well...

[Brahmsian]

Damn I knew I was missing a very important one. I'm usually not impressed with Korngold, but his VC is actually quite good. Oh well...

I've done polls similar to this in the past, and always end up overlooking a handful or some good ones.    That's why it's always better to do polls on absolutes like:  What are your favorites of Beethoven's 9 symphonies, etc.

Doesn't matter.  Any time a poll comes up, I like participating and voting.  They are fun! 

[Daverz]

Not to mention Brian, Egge, Ponce, Piston... just to name a few more. 

The Ponce and the 2 Piston concertos are fine works.  The Ponce has been recorded by Henryk Szeryng, and this is available in the Brilliant Classics Musica Mexicana box.  It's vol. 2 for those that might want to seek out only this disc in the original Musica Mexicana series.

http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-2-Chavez/dp/B0000030U2

[Mirror Image]

I've done polls similar to this in the past, and always end up overlooking a handful or some good ones.    That's why it's always better to do polls on absolutes like:  What are your favorites of Beethoven's 9 symphonies, etc.

Doesn't matter.  Any time a poll comes up, I like participating and voting.  They are fun! 

Yes, it's easy to overlook things, but at the same time, I think this list covers a wide array of styles and different points in the 20th Century.

[Mirror Image]

The Ponce and the 2 Piston concertos are fine works.  The Ponce has been recorded by Henryk Szeryng, and this is available in the Brilliant Classics Musica Mexicana box.  It's vol. 2 for those that might want to seek out only this disc in the original Musica Mexicana series.

http://www.amazon.com/Symphony-2-Chavez/dp/B0000030U2

That Ponce VC is quite good no question about it. I own that Musica Mexicana set, and last time I checked, it was out-of-print.

Ooch...look at the price of this set now!    Glad I bought when I did!

http://www.amazon.com/Musica-Mexicana-Chavez-Revueltas-Szeryng/dp/B00133KEYK/ref=sr_1_3?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1289755827&sr=1-3

[snyprrr]

Has everyone had their say?

Is the consensus at hand?

The Top10 is, I believe, FILLED, and no one can come up with any mysteries,... ha, because there are none! Maybe it's that we're sad, because we truly have the bases covered here, and there really isn't anything else to tell the Newbie? Has the VC gone the way of George Washington? Everything that is Great&Awful about the VC has been said,... done, and, how many more pages could this Thread hope to go on for?

Only "violinconcerto" knows for sure, perhaps, how mannnnnnnnnny VCs there are out there, and yet there are STILL only "10" slots in any Top10. And, from the looks of it, there is no want for those vying. And still, the usual suspects always, solemnly, take their places in the Hallowed Halls of the Top10 VCs of All-Time.

And, from the looks of it, the Top25 is a cinch, too. We probably ALL have all of the Top25, and many probably don't even know it. I even have the B***** by accident. Who doesn't have, or hasn't had, the Mendelssohn (by Kennedy?, haha,... the '80s, remember?, haha).

I fear for the Viola Concerto Thread!

[mjwal]

I don't know the Pärt. Frankel, Norgard and Gerhard should have been included, as has already been pointed out. I would add the stunning Skalkottas. One of the finest 20th C works in any category.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

I heard Tchaikovsky VC once in the concert hall; the violin was too expressive, too artificial, too made up for me. The violinist behaved like Gollum like she wanted to sell roses to the conductor. I've got some problems with many soloist works. My first and last VC! I'll give Sibelius a try one day, I know bits of it.

[karlhenning]

Tchaikovsky's concerto is certainly of the 19^th century. (BTW)

; )

[springrite]

Tchaikovsky's concerto is certainly of the 19^th century. (BTW)

; )

5 to 9 you'd advance. Did you miss math class?

[karlhenning]

Tough decision!

I cast votes for Shostakovich, Prokofiev, Elgar & Nielsen.

[karlhenning]

5 to 9 you'd advance. Did you miss math class?

Do you mean, did I fail to attend, or do I pine for it? : )

[Mirror Image]

I heard Tchaikovsky VC once in the concert hall; the violin was too expressive, too artificial, too made up for me. The violinist behaved like Gollum like she wanted to sell roses to the conductor. I've got some problems with many soloist works. My first and last VC! I'll give Sibelius a try one day, I know bits of it.

Considering Tchaikovsky's VC was composed in 1878, this work hardly qualifies for a 20th Century work. Don't you know this? What cave did you crawl out from? Fingal's Cave perhaps? 

[karlhenning]

Pettersson has as many votes as Schoenberg?!!!??!???!??!???!?!??!!!?!?!??!??!