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Since its first appearance in northern Italy in the early 16th century, the violin<\/strong><\/a> has been an absolute cornerstone of the classical music repertoire. And, as befitting such a central instrument, the violin has had a huge number of concertos written for it. Here are some of the very best violin concertos. <\/p> The Polish composer Gra\u017cyna Bacewicz<\/strong><\/a> wrote no fewer than seven violin concertos, although the Sixth was not published or performed during her lifetime. Among these, it’s quite hard to pick a favourite, though we’ll opt for the Third for its expressive qualities, constant tonal and rhythmic surprises, and successful incorporations of folk styles. Something for fans of Prokofiev, Bart\u00f3k, Szymanowski and other adventurous 20th-century fiddle concertos.<\/p> Recommended recording:<\/strong> Joanna Kurkowicz (violin), Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra \/ \u0141ukasz Borowicz (Chandos). Read our review here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p> Either one of Bach’s<\/strong><\/a> two concertos for solo violin could have made our list, as could the wonderful Concerto for Two Violins. If pushed, we might just select the A minor Concerto, which is blessed with one of classical music’s most arresting openings, with the violin grabbing the music by the scruff of the neck shortly after the orchestral introduction.<\/p> The slow movement is sighingly beautiful, and then there’s that wonderfully carefree, exuberant Finale \u2013 in the style of a Gigue, in case you’re wondering.<\/p> Recommended recording:<\/strong> Hilary Hahn (violin), Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra \/ Jeffrey Kahane (Deutsche Grammophon)<\/p> When Samuel Barber’s<\/strong><\/a> Violin Concerto was premiered in 1941, 20th-century Modernism was at something of a high water mark in classical music. However, you wouldn’t know it from this beautiful, lyrical concerto, which looks back to composers such as Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>Best violin concertos<\/h2>
Bacewicz: Violin Concerto No.3<\/h3>
Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor<\/h3>
Barber: Violin Concerto<\/h3>