20th Century Violin Concertos

[Tony Halstead]

Skryabin should have written one

quite so, absolutely agreed!
here's my list:
DELIUS
ELGAR
SCHOENBERG
BARBER
BLAKE (David not Howard )
PROKOFIEV #1
WALTON
HINDEMITH
BERG
BRITTEN

[Barbirollians]

i have been very charmed by the York Bowen Violin Concerto on Dutton almost the Rachmaninov Violin Concerto in feeling .

Elgar Berg Bartok 1&2 ,Prokofiev 1&2 , Britten ,Walton ,Sibeliusand Nielsen my 20th century favourites .

[Richard Barrett]

Let's see now. Berg (which I heard yesterday evening), Holliger, Bartók, Szymanowski, Ligeti, Dutilleux, maybe Stravinsky...

[Pulcinella]

...maybe Stravinsky...

Definitely Stravinsky (but then Pulcinella is neoclassical ).

Haven't trawled through the thread to see which have been mentioned before but I'd add the Martinu, Piston, Schuman, and Rubbra to those in the more recent postings here.
And there must be some C21 ones by now: Adès anyone?

[Richard Barrett]

there must be some C21 ones by now: Adès anyone?

No thanks. I wasn't so keen on Birtwistle or Dillon either. However the Simon Holt Witness to a Snow Miracle, recently out on CD, I found very engaging indeed.

[Barbirollians]

Eotvos Seven I enjoyed a great deal on Pat Kop's record.

[Serial_Apologist]

I'd just like to add Samuel Barber's, if it hasn't already been mentioned? Up there with Prokofiev 1 and Walton in that returnable to neo-romantic category, for me.

[Pulcinella]

Looks like we could do with a summary of the thread and its purpose, and perhaps an extension to this century.
As the original poster, are you up for the task, ferney?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

In a recent posting on the "What are you listening to now?" thread, Waldhorn referred to the Delius Violin Concerto as "one of the handful of truly great" VCs of the 20th Century.

My "hands" would include those of Elgar, Schönberg, Berg, Bartok (#2) and Ligeti, but I would hate to be deprived of the Stravinsky, Britten, Prokofiev, Sibelius, Nielsen, Walton, Nordheim, Panufnik, Barber, Rosza, Korngold ... and Ferneyhough's Terrain.

In fact, I think that the 20th Century produced more good Violin Concertos than did the 19th: does anyone else share this opinion?

Looks like we could do with a summary of the thread and its purpose, and perhaps an extension to this century.
As the original poster, are you up for the task, ferney?

Done.

[Pulcinella]

Done.

PS: I've just noticed what exactly it is that you have 'done'!

[Beef Oven!]

My top ten 20th Century violin concertos are:

1 Ligeti
2 Ligeti
3 Ligeti
4 Ligeti
5 I don't have a fifth favourite
6 Ligeti
7 Schuman
8 Berg
9 Rubbra
10 One of Piston's

And Shostakovich - either his first or second

Possibly Britten

Skryabin should have written one

Updated list

1. Ligeti
2. Bartok #2
3. Berg
4. Schoenberg
5. Schumann
6. Britten
7. Rubbra
8. Penderecki #2
9. Penderecki #1
10. Piston #2

Bubbling under - Barber, Szymanowski, DSCH, Dutilleux.

[jayne lee wilson]

I was sure I had a list here.... into air, into thin air...

Oh God.... let's think........

Gubaidulina - Offertorium
Martinu - No.1
Roberto Gerhard(**)
Kancheli - Chiaroscuro/Twilight (my 2015 Record of the Year)
David Matthews 1&2
Robin Holloway
Dutilleux - L'Arbre des Songes
Ghedini - "Il Belprato"
Saariaho - Graal Theatre
Per Norgård 1 & 2....

(**)JLW Special Distinction Award

"program subject to change & alteration..."

[Beef Oven!]

I was sure I had a list here.... into air, into thin air...

Oh God.... let's think........

Gubaidulina - Offertorium
Martinu - No.1
Roberto Gerhard
Kancheli - Chiaroscuro/Twilight (my 2015 Record of the Year)
David Matthews 1&2
Robin Holloway
Dutilleux - L'Arbre des Songes
Ghedini - "Il Belprato"
Saariaho - Graal Theatre
Per Norgård 1 & 2....


"program subject to change & alteration..."

Very interesting list Jayne. I have no doubt when I update my list next, Gubaidulina will be in there. I’m thinking more in terms of 'In tempus praesens'.

The Roberto Gerhard violin concerto is an excellent selection. I only bought the Lyrita CD last year so it’s quite new to me, and when I get that disc out, I tend to concentrate on the coupling - Symphony #4.

[jayne lee wilson]

That Lyrita is true classic if ever there was one!
But the Chandos with Charlier/Bamert is possibly even better and in more spacious wide-ranging sound. BTW, according to Paul Conway's Lyrita note, Gerhard made a cut in the scherzo (i.e part two of the first movement after the cadenza)in preparation for the original Argo LP of the Lyrita recording, restored for the Chandos and partly responsible for the latter being almost 2 minutes longer. Sad to note - as Ed Greenfield says in the Gramophone review of 2/72, Gerhard didn't live to hear the recording itself, as he died in 1970.

And if you need any more temptation the Bamert recording of the 1st Symphony (c/w Vn Cto) is truly spectacular, but poetic and very atmospheric too. There isn't much choice in this repertoire so we're lucky to have the Chandos Series as a premium choice and Auvidis as more than useful alternatives, if less polished orchestrally & sonically - (or at least what's left of the latter - no downloads).
(The BBCSO/Dorati Gerhard 1st never yet made it to CD....)

[EdgeleyRob]

i have been very charmed by the York Bowen Violin Concerto on Dutton almost the Rachmaninov Violin Concerto in feeling.