Violin Concerto (Elgar)

The Violin Concerto in B Minor, opus 61, is one of Sir Edward Elgar's longest works, yet it is somewhat uncommon in recording and in performance. Like most other concertos, it features three movements:

1. Allegro
2. Andante
3. Allegro molto

It is a very sombre and romantic work, the second movement (as expected) most so. The first movement begins with a long orchestral feature, before the violin enters with a repetition of the theme. The second movement features a shorter orchestral prelude, while the last movement begins with a difficult violin passage, accompanied by the orchestra, that features many double stops and fast arpeggios. The piece often lasts for forty-five minutes or longer, making it possibly the longest violin concerto performed with any regularity. That fact in itself makes it one of the less often-performed violin concertos – the classic rendition remains that of the composer, with Lord Menuhin playing the violin.