Violin Concerto (Mendelssohn) facts for kids
The Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 is a famous piece of music for a violin and an orchestra. It was written by a German composer named Felix Mendelssohn. He finished this concerto in 1844. Mendelssohn wrote it especially for his friend, Ferdinand David, who was a very talented violinist. This concerto is one of the most popular and important violin concertos ever written. It is often played by violinists all around the world.
Contents
What is a Concerto?
A concerto is a special type of musical piece. It's like a conversation between a single musical instrument and a whole orchestra. The solo instrument, in this case, the violin, gets to show off its skills. The orchestra plays along, sometimes supporting the solo instrument and sometimes playing on its own.
Who Was Felix Mendelssohn?
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) was a brilliant German composer and conductor. He lived during the Romantic period of music. Mendelssohn was a child prodigy, meaning he was incredibly talented from a very young age. He started composing when he was just a boy. He wrote many different kinds of music, including symphonies, oratorios, and chamber music. His music is known for being beautiful, clear, and often very melodic.
The Story Behind the Concerto
Mendelssohn started thinking about writing this violin concerto in 1838. He worked on it for about six years. He often asked his friend, Ferdinand David, for advice. David was a famous violinist and the concertmaster (leader of the violins) of the orchestra in Leipzig, Germany. Their teamwork helped make the concerto perfect for the violin. David gave Mendelssohn ideas on how to make the violin parts sound great and be fun to play.
Parts of the Concerto
This concerto has three main parts, called movements:
- The first movement is fast and dramatic. It starts with the solo violin playing a beautiful melody.
- The second movement is slower and more peaceful. It's like a calm song.
- The third movement is lively and joyful. It's a very exciting ending to the piece.
What makes this concerto special is how the movements flow into each other. There are no long pauses between them. This was a new idea at the time and made the concerto feel like one continuous story. The last movement, for example, is called a "sonata rondo finale." This means it combines two musical forms, making it exciting and full of energy.
Why is it So Popular?
Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto is loved for many reasons:
- Beautiful Melodies: It has many memorable and lovely tunes that are easy to enjoy.
- Showcase for the Violin: It allows the violinist to show off their amazing skills without being too difficult to listen to.
- Emotional Depth: The music expresses a wide range of feelings, from excitement to calm.
- New Ideas: Mendelssohn introduced some new ways of writing a concerto, which influenced other composers.
It remains a "pillar of the classical repertoire," which means it's a very important and often-played piece in classical music concerts.
Learn More
- Woodstra, Chris, et al. 2005. All Music Guide to Classical Music. All Media Guide, LLC. p. 825. ISBN: 0-87930-865-6.
Images for kids
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Ferdinand David, the violinist who first played the piece. His help was very important for the concerto.
See also
In Spanish: Concierto para violín (Mendelssohn) para niños
