We have thousands of human-written stories, discussions, interviews and reviews from today through the past 20+ years. Find them here:

Search the site Search

V.com weekend vote: What is your favorite violin piece?

August 20, 2010 at 2:17 PM

I've always wanted to ask this very simple question in the weekend vote, but the question didn't lend itself to the polling software format! So, since I'm waiting for new polling software, here's the question of the week, and please answer in the comment section:

What is your favorite piece on the violin? And if you have hundreds of "favorite" pieces (I do), narrow it down to one: What is your favorite piece right at this moment? The first that comes to mind, don't think too hard.

For me, I'd have to say at the moment it's the Ravel Sonata, probably because I just played it, and because I also have a recording of it in my car, in which I'm currently spending a lot of time, driving from Florida back to California! (It's a 2006 recording of Latvian sisters Baiba and Lauma Skride, also has some Schubert and Beethoven. Very nicely played). I enjoy where the Ravel takes me, the scattered but uplifted thoughts in the first movement, the slide-y "Blues" of the second and the wild ride that is the last movement.

What is your favorite piece at the moment?

Vocalise.  By Rachmaninoff.

-----Ann Marie

Sarasate's "Serenata Andaluza" (not to be confused with tha famous "Romanza Andaluza")

Piano & Violin Sonata k 304 2 - W.A.Mozart

If i remember it correctly.. 

Today....it is Baal Shem by Ernest Bloch but answering that question is like trying to choose between your kids.

Oh my.  My favorite concerto is the Tchaikovsky, but right now, today, this minute, whilst typing, I'd have to go with the Sibelius concerto, since that is my current project.

Safe journey, The Weekend Vote!

 

At the moment, it's Prokofiev Second Violin (aka Flute) Sonata, op. 94a.

The project was suggested to us by my piano partner's teacher. It will last us a long time, I'm sure.

(and I like Bach, too)

Tartini's Devil's Trill Sonate

 I've gone through phases of liking a concerto for about a month, listening to it over and over. but then I stop and switch to something else automatically. It's kind of funny really. Right now it's a tie between the Lark Ascending and the Brahms violin concerto. both played by sarah chang.

Ave maria by Schubert :)

 Elgar: Sonata for Violin & Piano Op.82

 Right NOW??? Britten V.C., janine jansen

 

I really love Jamie Laredo and Glenn Gould playing Bach's Sonata No. 4  in Cm, BWV 1017.

Right now, Barber violin concerto.

Hubay: Concerto no. 3

overall: fox trot for orchestra by john adams!
Symphony: Any shostakovich
Chamber music: Shostakovich quartets (and the beethoven quintet)
concerto: Schnittke viola concerto mov. 2
violin concerto: Shostakovich violin concerto

But Fox Trot for orchestra is amazing....
 

 Brahms VC (today)

 At this exact moment? Probably the Faure A major sonata...or is the Franck? Brahms rain? Bach? Lark Ascending? *sigh* Why do the simplest questions yield the most complicated answers?

 Erika you are soooo right

Beethoven Violin Sonata 5 mvt.1

Nobody has said it yet?! Beethoven violin concerto of course! Karajan and Anne-Sophie Mutter playing it, there's nothing better. Although, I must say that there are SO many really fantastic concertos and recordings out there.

Mine, too!  (Beethoven VC.)  One day my husband and I were strolling by my violin teacher's house, and one of her former students was playing it in her living room overlooking the street (practicing for an audition, my teacher recalled), and it was thrilling.

There are SO many!!!!! I prefer violin concerto, my favourite at the moment is the Tchaikovsky I also like Paganini, sibelius, brahms and mendelssohn!!!!! I don't know which one to choose?

Lament on the Death of Sor Blanca Maria - Scottish Traditional

Arrangement by Bonnie Rideout

 The Lark Ascending - Vaughan Williams

or

Violin Concerto - Edgar Meyer

Favorites come and go but Sinding Suite in a minor remains at the top for me. That and Bruch g minor. Partly because I haved lived with these pieces more intensely than any others, partly because of the sheer emotional strength and beautyy of both.

 Hmm, not an easy question, but taking it literally the answer has got to be Paganini's Sonata Set 2 No 2 from his "Lucca" Sonatas MS 10 for violin and guitar.  Technically, it's not too difficult (just as well, 'cos I'm learning it from Luigi Bianchi's recording! - does anyone know where I can get the sheet music? - I'm in England).  But, there's a beguiling apparent simplicity in this music that disguises its depths (a bit like Mozart does, perhaps), and there's a touch of folk music in the second movement.  This, incidentally, applies to a number of the 36 sonatas in the Lucca set, notably No 3 in Set 2 where the first part of its second movement is identical to an 18th c English folk tune, a polka called "Mrs Hill's Delight", or alternatively, in the best folk tradition, the "Bristol" polka, which I know well.  Now where did Paganini pick that up, I wonder?

Another vote for Devil trill Sonata!  Just hope this isn't a bad sing ; )   but I should say at equal position with a Svetlanov Poem.  So it balances things... 

 Vivaldi Four Seasons

Wieniawski VN concerto # 2. Since I am working on it right now.

 

 Beethoven Concerto.  I asked myself what piece more than any other would be a terrific loss to ALL of music if nobody could hear it or play it.   This answer seems obvious to me.   

I have thousands of favorites, but currently; a tie between the Bach chaconne and the Prokofiev fm sonata.

 C major solo Sonata

beethoven romance in G.  the harmonies are to die for....

 Sibelius violin concerto

I have always really enjoyed the Saint-Saens "Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso". This piece seems to hit all of the moods and when played well, is very exciting to hear and to play.

 

The Lark Ascending......

 Right now? Paganini Caprice #24.At other times: the Sibelius, Britten and Shostakovich (#1) Violin Concerti. Also Prokoviev's First Violin & Piano Sonata.

The Bach Chaconne, of course.  I'm surprised that only one other person has mentioned it so far.

Can anyone respond to this weekend vote, or is it limited to v.commies?

Paganini's La Campanella.  It's funny, bright, cheery, exciting, devilish, daring, happy...all those things I love!!!!

Bach's Chaconne, of course. This piece is the cathedral of all violin music !

 Handel-Halvorson's Passaglia....

Bach's Chaconne; especially the youtube of Maxim Vengerov giving tribute to the Holocaust victims.

Hello,

Today, its  the Kronos Quartet`s - Lux Aeterna , all day.......

Ana D.

Enesco 3rd sonata

Bach Chaconne at the moment, but if you ask me tomorrow - it might be Elgar violin concerto, or....   

P.S.  Glad to see someone choosing the Elgar Sonata - is that piece generally taught much in American music school violin class repertory?

 I agree...with you ALL! :)

 wieniawski - faust fantasy

St. Annes Reel

 OMG. THE MEYER VIOLIN CONCERTO PLAYED BY HILARY HAHN.

Korngold Gartenscene

Frank A major Sonata

Lark Ascending (Nicola Benedetti on this BBC proms season :D)