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Making an Impression

Donald Macleod explores the life and music of German Romantic composer Max Bruch. Today, following the blunder-filled journey towards his super-hit first Violin Concerto.

Donald Macleod explores Bruch鈥檚 journey towards his biggest hit, his first Violin Concerto.

鈥淥nly true melody outlasts all changes and shifts of time鈥 鈥 so said this week鈥檚 composer, Max Bruch, the creator of what may be the world鈥檚 best-loved violin concerto. But Bruch would hate us to think of him as a one hit wonder. He even came to resent the very sound of his first Violin concerto, the only piece by which he鈥檚 often remembered. All this week, Donald Macleod colours in Bruch鈥檚 life story and reveals the breadth of his output, including some of his lesser-heard music.

Today, Bruch begins to make his way in the professional world, though not always smoothly, and lands what looks like a pretty plum job at the court in Koblenz. There are a few bumps in his personal life , but he鈥檚 beginning to get ideas for the work that would make his name throughout the world鈥

Swedish Dances, No 10 (Frisch, nicht zu schnell)
Dene Olding, violin
Piers Lane, piano

Musicaklang, Op 71 No 5
Bath Camerata
Nigel Perrin, conductor

Symphony No 1 (5th movement - Finale)
Bamberg Symphony
Robert Trevino, conductor

Sch枚n Ellen, Op 24
Claudia Braun, soprano
Thomas Laske, baritone
Kantorei Barmen-Gemarke
Kantorei Velbert
Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra
George Hanson, conductor

Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor
Randall Goosby, violin
Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nezet-Seguin, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for 蜜芽传媒 Audio Wales and West

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Next Tuesday 16:00

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