Double Concerto (Brahms)

Template:Short description Template:Infobox musical composition The Double Concerto in A minor, Op. 102, by Johannes Brahms is a concerto for violin, cello and orchestra, composed in 1887 as his last work for orchestra.

Origin of the work

The Double Concerto was Brahms' final work for orchestra. It was composed in the summer of 1887, and first performed on 18 October of that year in the Template:Ill in Cologne, Germany.<ref>Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra: program notes</ref> Brahms approached the project with anxiety over writing for instruments that were not his own.<ref>He disguised his reservations with joyless joking in his letter to Clara Schumann: "...I have had the amusing idea of writing a concerto for violin and cello. If it is at all successful it might give us some fun. You can well imagine the sort of pranks one might play in such a case," he wrote, adding "I ought to have handed on the idea to some who knows the violin better than I do." Litzmann, Schumann/Brahms Letters 8/1887, quoted by Jan Swafford, Johannes Brahms: a biography 1997:539.</ref> He wrote it for the cellist Robert Hausmann, a frequent chamber music collaborator,<ref>For Hausmann he had written the Second Cello Sonata the previous summer.</ref> and his old but estranged friend, the violinist Joseph Joachim. The concerto was, in part, a gesture of reconciliation towards Joachim, after their long friendship had ruptured following Joachim's divorce from his wife Amalie.<ref>"This concerto is a work of reconciliation— Joachim and Brahms have spoken to each other again for the first time in years", Clara Schumann noted in her journal after a rehearsal in Baden-Baden in September 1887.</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> (Brahms had sided with Amalie in the dispute.)

The concerto makes use of the musical motif A–E–F, a permutation of F–A–E, which stood for a personal motto of Joachim, Frei aber einsam ("free but lonely").<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Thirty-four years earlier, Brahms had been involved in a collaborative work using the F-A-E motif in tribute to Joachim: the F-A-E Sonata of 1853.

Structure

The composition consists of three movements in the fast–slow–fast pattern typical of classical instrumental concerti: Template:Ordered list

Scoring

The orchestra consists of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings.

Performance and reception

Joachim and Hausmann performed the concerto, with Brahms at the podium, several times in its initial 1887–88 season, and Brahms gave the manuscript to Joachim, with the inscription "To him for whom it was written." Clara Schumann reacted unfavourably to the concerto, considering the work "not brilliant for the instruments".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Richard Specht also thought critically of the concerto, describing it as "one of Brahms' most inapproachable and joyless compositions". Brahms had sketched a second concerto for violin and cello but destroyed his notes in the wake of its cold reception.Template:Citation needed Later critics have warmed to it: Donald Tovey wrote of the concerto as having "vast and sweeping humour".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Its performance requires two brilliant and equally matched soloists.

Scholarly discussion

Richard Cohn has included the first movement of this concerto in his discussions of triadic progressions from a Neo-Riemannian perspective.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Cohn has also analysed such progressions mathematically.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Cohn notes several progressions that divide the octave equally into three parts, and which can be analyzed using the triadic transformations proposed by Hugo Riemann.

Discography

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• Jacques Thibaud and Pablo Casals, Orquestra Pau Casals Template:Abbr Alfred Cortot (1929).<ref>HMV DB1311-1314/Victor V-8208-8211.</ref>
• Jascha Heifetz and Emanuel Feuermann, Philadelphia Orchestra Template:Abbr Eugene Ormandy (1939).<ref>HMV/Victor 78rpm:Naxos CD</ref>
• Mischa Mischakoff and Frank Miller, NBC Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Arturo Toscanini (live radio and TV broadcast 1948).
• Adolf Busch and Herman Busch, French National Radio Orchestra Template:Abbr Paul Kletzki (live Strasbourg 1949).<ref>Music and Arts MACD 108</ref>
• Georg Kulenkampff and Enrico Mainardi, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande Template:Abbr Carl Schuricht (1947).<ref>Decca 78rpm AK2025-2028: Archipel CD ARPCD 0301</ref>
• Willi Boskovsky and Emanuel Brabec,<ref>Cellist of the Barylli Quartet, Brabec was teacher of Nikolaus Harnoncourt at Vienna.</ref> Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Wilhelm Furtwängler (1950 live recording).<ref>Dynamic IDIS Hist. CD IDI 6554</ref>
• Nathan Milstein and Gregor Piatigorsky, Philadelphia Robin Hood Dell Orchestra Template:Abbr Fritz Reiner (1951).<ref>Naxos CD 8.111051</ref>
• Jean Fournier and Antonio Janigro,<ref>Fournier and Janigro played together with Paul Badura-Skoda in a trio ensemble.</ref> Vienna State Opera Orchestra Template:Abbr Hermann Scherchen (1952).<ref>Westminster LP WLP 5117.</ref>
• Gioconda de Vito and Amadeo Baldovino,<ref>Student of Camillo Oblach's at the G.B. Martini School of Music, Bologna, Baldovino was cellist with the Trio Italiano d'Archi and the Trio di Trieste: see [1] here.</ref> Philharmonia Orchestra Template:Abbr Rudolf Schwarz (1952).<ref>HMV BLP 1028</ref>
• David Oistrakh and Pierre Fournier, Philharmonia Orchestra Template:Abbr Alceo Galliera (1956).<ref>HMV/EMI SXLP 30185.</ref>
• Isaac Stern and Leonard Rose, Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York Template:Abbr Bruno Walter (1956).<ref>Philips LP ABL 3139/3289.</ref>
• Zino Francescatti and Samuel Mayes,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Boston Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Charles Munch (April 1956 live recording).<ref>Music and Arts, West Hill Radio Archive WHRA 6017.</ref>

• Zino Francescatti and Pierre Fournier, Columbia Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Bruno Walter (1960).<ref>Columbia ML 5493.</ref>
• Zino Francescatti and Pierre Fournier, BBC Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Sir Malcolm Sargent (date of recording: 30/08/1955).<ref>BBC CD L4149 2.</ref>
• Wolfgang Schneiderhan and Enrico Mainardi,<ref>Schneiderhan succeeded Georg Kulenkampff as violin in the trio ensemble with Mainardi and Edwin Fischer after Kulenkampff died.</ref> Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Karl Böhm (date of recording: 08/25/1957).<ref>Orfeo CD C 359941B.</ref>
• Jascha Heifetz and Gregor Piatigorsky, RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Alfred Wallenstein (1961).<ref>RCA LD(S)2513</ref>
• Salvatore Accardo and Siegfried Palm,<ref>Palm was a pupil of Mainardi's, and a President of the European String Teachers' Association: see interview [2] here.</ref> Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma della RTV Italiana cond Bruno Maderna (live 1961 Milan).<ref>Movimento Musica srl Milano (WEA Italiana) 01.017 33/30 DP</ref>
• Wolfgang Schneiderhan and János Starker, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Ferenc Fricsay (1962).<ref>DG 139126</ref>
• Alfredo Campoli and André Navarra, Hallé Orchestra Template:Abbr John Barbirolli (1963).<ref>Vanguard SRV-136 SD.</ref>
• Josef Suk and André Navarra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Karel Ančerl (c.1963).<ref>Supraphon LP SUA ST 50573.</ref>
• David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Kirill Kondrashin (live 1963).<ref>BBC CD L41972</ref>
• David Oistrakh and Mstislav Rostropovich, Cleveland Orchestra Template:Abbr George Szell (1970).<ref>HMV ASD 3312</ref>
• Christian Ferras and Paul Tortelier, Philharmonia Orchestra Template:Abbr Paul Kletzki (1964).<ref>Testament CD SBT 1337.</ref>
• Yehudi Menuhin and Maurice Gendron, London Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr István Kertész (Bath Festival 1964).<ref>BBC CD L4252 2</ref>
• Yehudi Menuhin and Leslie Parnas,<ref>Leslie Parnas</ref> Casals Festival Orchestra Template:Abbr Pablo Casals (1969).<ref>Doremi CD DHR 7844</ref>
• Henryk Szeryng and János Starker, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Template:Abbr Bernard Haitink (1971).<ref>Philips 6500 137</ref>
• Yan Pascal Tortelier and Paul Tortelier, BBC Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr John Pritchard (1974).<ref>BBC CD L42362.</ref>
• Salvatore Accardo and Heinrich Schiff, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Template:Abbr Kurt Masur (1979)<ref>Philips 9500 623.</ref>
• Itzhak Perlman and Mstislav Rostropovich, Concertgebouw Orchestra, Template:Abbr Bernard Haitink (1980).<ref>HMV ASD 3905; EMI CDC 7 49486 2.</ref>
• Anne-Sophie Mutter and Antônio Meneses, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Herbert von Karajan (1983).<ref>DG 410 603-1.</ref>
• Emmy Verhey and János Starker, Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (nl) Template:Abbr Arpad Joó (1983).<ref>SEFD 5023 (Sefel Records)</ref>
• Gidon Kremer and Mischa Maisky, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Leonard Bernstein (1984).<ref>DG 410 031-1; DGG DVD 000983409.</ref>
• Yehudi Menuhin and Paul Tortelier, London Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Paavo Berglund (1984).<ref>EMI EG 27 0268 1.</ref>
• Isaac Stern and Yo-Yo Ma, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Claudio Abbado (1988).<ref>CBS Masterworks Mk 42387.</ref>
• Raphael Wallfisch and Lydia Mordkovitch (violin), London Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi. Label Chandos (1989).
• Ilya Kaler and Maria Kliegel, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland Template:Abbr Andrew Constantine (1995).
• Gidon Kremer and Template:Ill, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Template:Abbr Nikolaus Harnoncourt (1997).<ref>Teldec – 0630-13137-2.</ref>
• Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma, Chicago Symphony Orchestra Template:Abbr Daniel Barenboim (1997).<ref>Teldec 0630-15870-2.</ref>
• Gil Shaham and Jian Wang, Berliner Philharmoniker Template:Abbr Claudio Abbado (2002).<ref>CD DG 4695292.</ref>
• Julia Fischer and Daniel Müller-Schott, Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra Template:Abbr Yakov Kreizberg (2007).<ref>PTC 5186 066 (PentaTone Classics).</ref>
• Renaud Capuçon and Gautier Capuçon, Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester Template:Abbr Myung-Whun Chung (2007).<ref>Virgin Classics 00946 395147 2 4.</ref>
• Vadim Repin and Truls Mørk, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Template:Abbr Riccardo Chailly (2009).<ref>CD DG 4777470.</ref>
• Antje Weithaas and Maximilian Hornung, NDR Radiophilharmonie Template:Abbr Andrew Manze (2019).<ref>cpo 555 172-2.</ref>

External links

• Template:IMSLP2
• Template:Webarchive
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• Adaptation of the work as a Cello Concerto
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