Why Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto broke the rules of the classical tradition
In short: Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, is a cornerstone of the violin repertoire. Conceived in 1838 and premiered in 1845, this masterpiece defied conventions by linking its movements and placing the cadenza before the recapitulation, forever changing how composers and soloists collaborate on the concert stage.
Mendelssohn’s concerto was born from a close professional collaboration with Ferdinand David, the concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. The composer sought David’s technical advice throughout the six-year creation process, a practice that set a new standard for future composer-soloist partnerships. The work’s structure was intentionally innovative; it moved away from the traditional orchestral opening by allowing the solo violin to enter almost immediately. Furthermore, Mendelssohn connected the three movements—played attacca—to prevent the audience from applauding between sections, a departure from the norms of his time.
The concerto’s technical demands are significant, particularly the cadenza, which Mendelssohn wrote out in full rather than leaving it to the soloist’s improvisation. This cadenza is uniquely positioned before the recapitulation, a structural choice that influenced later works by composers such as Tchaikovsky and Sibelius. The original autograph score, dated 16 September 1844, contains details that differ from the 1862 published edition, including tempo markings like 'Allegro con fuoco' and variations in the solo violin’s passage-work. Some modern artists have opted to perform the original version rather than the more common, streamlined edition.
The piece remains a benchmark for virtuosity. In 1906, the violinist Joseph Joachim famously described it as the 'heart's jewel' of the violin repertoire. Its influence is evident in the way it integrated the soloist as an accompanist to the orchestra, such as during the ricochet arpeggios in the first movement. By blending technical complexity with a lyrical, through-composed form, Mendelssohn created a work that has remained essential for aspiring concert violinists since its premiere.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Violin Concerto (Mendelssohn)
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