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Violin Concerto No. 1 (Saint-Saëns)

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Violin Concerto
by Camille Saint-Saëns
KeyA Major
Opus20
PeriodRomantic
GenreConcerto
Composed1859 (1859)
Movements1
ScoringViolin & Orchestra
Premiere
DateApril 4, 1867 (1867-04-04)
LocationParis
ConductorCamille Saint-Saëns
PerformersPablo de Sarasate, Paris Philharmonic

The Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20, by Camille Saint-Saëns is a piece for violin and orchestra written in 1859 and premiered in 1867 in Paris. Despite its numbering, this concerto was Saint-Saëns' second for the violin because it was published first.[1][2] This was the first in a string of collaborations with virtuoso violinist Pablo Sarasate, who was only 15 years old at the time. This concerto, along with No. 2 and No. 3, would result in a lifelong friendship and collaboration between Saint-Saëns and Sarasate. The work never gained much popularity during Saint-Saëns' lifetime, to his disappointment.[3]

Instrumentation

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The work is scored for solo violin, 2 flutes/piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, and strings.[4]

Structure

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The work is in only a single movement, labeled allegro.

The piece has a performance time of approximately 12 minutes, garnering criticism for its short length. Critics called the work a 'concert piece' because it is barely longer than other works of that label, much to the annoyance of Saint-Saëns himself.[3]

Notable recordings

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References

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  1. ^ "Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major, Op. 20, Camille Saint-Saëns". Hollywood Bowl. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  2. ^ "Saint-Saëns Violin Concertos Nos 1-3". Gramophone. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  3. ^ a b Javotte (2015-06-16). "Violin Concerto No. 1 in A major Op. 20". The Complete Works of Camille Saint-Saens. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  4. ^ "Violin Concerto No.1, Op.20 (Saint-Saëns, Camille) - IMSLP". imslp.org. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
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