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If you’re looking for objectivity, you won’t find it here. I’m a psychologist by profession and an novice violinist. So the following list and the explanations are strictly subjective, not the opinion of a professional musician or musical scholar, and will probably modify by the time I finish writing this. Nevertheless, as of today, here are the top 10 violin concertos of all time (in rank order), and why I think so.
Number 1 – Ludwig van Beethoven, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, Opus 61, written in 1806.
“The Gentle Giant.” A serene piece of music made of the simplest materials but of immense scope and structure. One of the biggest cultural attainments of Western civilization. Listen particularly for the 5-beat element present closely everyplace in the 1st Movement.
Number 2 – Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Opus 35, written in 1878.
“A true blockbuster.” This is the most general violin concerto ever written, and with good reason. Written in a burst of happy inspiration, it has been on the best-seller list of audience favorites for over 125 years, and shows no signs of disappearing.
Number 3 – Johannes Brahms, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major, Opus 77, written in 1878.
“Depth and romanticism.” The idealisti combining of classical form and romanticism from the distinctive voice of classical music’s most introspective poet. He had to have been in love when he wrote this one.
Number 4 – Niccolo Paganini, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 2 in B minor, Opus 7, written in 1826.
“Dramatic, theatrical, virtuosic, and seductive.” Italian opera with the violin solo as a kind of super-soprano voice. You may closely see the curtains opening at the opening orchestral introduction. The extreme combining an operatic aesthetic with spectacular instrumental virtuosity by perhaps one of the greatest virtuosos and underrated composers of all time.
Number 5 – Jean Sibelius, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, Opus 47, written in 1903.
“Emotional, majestic, and exciting.” This has been an audience bestloved ever since it was extrapolated by the great Jascha Heifetz. The rugged nature of the two outer movements is in finish contrast to the exquisite beauty of the slow movement, which has a long melody played only twice.
Number 6 – Felix Mendellsohn, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Minor, Opus 64, written in 1844.
“Seamless elegance and heart.” The model of what a violin concerto ought to be. Pure song from beginning to end. It actually sounds as if it was never actually “composed,” but always existed in the atmosphere somewhere, only to be plucked out of the sky by Mendellsohn and written down for others to play.
Number 7 – Bela Bartok, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra #2, written in 1939.
“Animalistic fury from the heart of the Eastern European backwoods.” This concerto is simultaneously in classical sonata form, a theme and variations, and with all of the inspiration of an improvised fantasy. Its nature is deep and stark, just as the turmoil of the world the composer lived in.
Number 8 – Dmitri Shostakovich, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, #1, Opus 99, written in the 1950′s.
“The darkness of the 20th Century.” Unusual in being in 4 movements, whereas most concertos are in 3. Introspective and vibrant. The 3rd Movement, “Passacaglia,” is a theme and variations of closely agonizing intensity.
Number 9 – Edward Elgar, Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in B Minor, Opus 61, written in 1910.
“Victorian pomp and aroused sensitivity all rolled into one.” This is one of those “old-fashioned” concertos that keeps popping up as timeless. The depth of emotion, authenti sentimentality, regal dignity, and consummate virtuosity inherent is this music is all perfectly combined and direct from the composer’s heart.
Number 10 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Violin Concerto #4 in D Major, K. 218, written in 1775.
“Purity, song, and perfection.” How may you have a top-10 list and not include Mozart? In fact, how may Mozart perchance have sunk to 10th place? The 3rd and 5th Concertos may be more popular, but to me this one has such sheer beauty, liveliness, and heart, that it never fails to move me.
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4
Volume 1 of authorized Schenker edition includes Op. 2, Nos. 1-3; Op. 7; Op. 10, Nos. 1-3; Op. 13; Op. 14, Nos. 1-2; Op. 22; Op. 26; Op. 27, Nos. 1-2; Op. 28.
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Pic
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Pic
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Picture
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Photo
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Image
Mozart Piano Concerto Nos 1 4 Picture
Most helpful customer reviews
92 of 99 people found the following review helpful.
 Ludwig van Beethoven-Complete Piano Sonatas
By I’d rather be rich than stupid
This book is an excellent value! For only about 10 bucks you receive over 350 pages of music in a high quality book. It opens flat, and doesn’t fall off the piano while you’re using it. The binding has not cracked or split, and shows no signs of doing so. I would pay twice as much as I did for this book.
36 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
Cheap, Well-Printed, Good Fingerings, Schenker’s Footnotes
By J Scott Morrison
This is a reprint of one volume of the two volume set of the legendary 1923 Universal Editions set of all 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas in Heinrich Schenker’s scrupulous edition, complete with his footnotes and an explanatory introduction. Physically the book (and its companion comprising the rest of the sonatas) is well done. It lies flat, the binding doesn’t crack (or at least mine hasn’t in several years’ usage), the printing is legible, the fingerings are easy to read and generally pretty apt. This book and its companion have had a lot of use and they’re still in pretty good shape. And, of course, they provide many hours of pleasure at the piano.
Perhaps best of all is that Dover’s price won’t break anyone’s bank. I don’t know how Dover does it, but I have bought many of their scores–not just Beethoven–with general satisfaction.
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful.
Great value for the price you pay!
By A
This Dover edition of the Beethoven Sonatas is a great buy! The book is binded well and will last you many years. I own volume 1 and 2 and after 5 plus years of abuse, the book lies flat, the binding doesn’t crack or split, and the pages aren’t discolored. In addition, the score is well edited with dynamics and fingering notations. The editor also left plenty of space for you to write in notes. Compared with the Henle edition, this book is cheaper and it will last longer.
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