[Violin] A curated selection of beloved classic masterpieces and popular pieces that continue to be cherished across eras
The violin, an instrument beloved since the Baroque era—the very roots of classical music.
At times graceful, at times passionately expressive, the violin’s richly nuanced tone continues to soothe our hearts.
In this article, we introduce classical masterpieces that let you fully enjoy the charm of the violin, adored both as a solo instrument and as the star of orchestras and ensembles.
We’ll also share tidbits about the historical context of their composition and the composers themselves, so even newcomers to classical music can enjoy with ease!
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[Violin] Carefully selected timeless and beloved classics and popular pieces (71–80)
Violin ConcertoAram Khachaturian
Khachaturian was an Armenian conductor and composer from Georgia who was active in the 20th century.
The city where he was born and raised, Tbilisi, means “the city of song,” and growing up surrounded by Georgian bands and Armenian street performances, he won fame by bringing enchanting, untamed rhythms and melodies into the orchestra.
In this piece as well, powerful rhythms and dance-like violin vitality weave in Romani earthiness and an Arabian wistfulness, creating a singular presence.
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61: Rondo – AllegroLudwig van Beethoven
The only completed violin concerto written by Beethoven.
It is one of the works from Beethoven’s middle period, which produced numerous masterpieces and is often called his “heroic” or “masterwork” period.
The third movement is in rondo form: after the violin presents the main theme as a solo, the orchestra repeats it to begin.
The violin then plays a secondary theme followed by rapid passages, and returns to the main theme, which the orchestra again repeats—a typical rondo structure.
After the solo violin sings a beautiful cadenza, it heads toward the climax together with the orchestra.
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, for Solo (Unaccompanied)Eugene Ysaye
There’s an indescribable fascination to it: phrases from Bach’s unaccompanied Partitas appear here and there, while the piece moves with the irregularity of contemporary music.
Also, the third movement is subtitled “Dance of the Ghosts,” and the fourth “Avenging Goddess,” so if you listen while imagining those titles, I think you might find yourself surprisingly drawn in.
[Violin] Carefully Selected Timeless and Beloved Classical Masterpieces and Popular Pieces (81–90)
Violin Partita No. 3 for Solo ViolinJ.S.Bach
Let me introduce one more piece by the same Bach as above.
Partita No.
3 is a path every violinist goes down at least once.
Compared to the Chaconne, its melodies are more approachable, yet it’s a piece packed with violinistic virtuosity.
Violin Concerto No. 22Tomaso Antonio Vitali
This concerto is what you might call a student-oriented concerto, and it’s often chosen as a set piece for junior competitions and music high school entrance exams.
Although it’s aimed at students, it’s not to be underestimated: it surprisingly demands advanced techniques such as rapid trills, sophisticated shifting, and scales in thirds.
Concerto for Violin in minor and minor, Major RV 269 “La Primavera”: II. LargoAntonio Vivaldi
The second movement, Largo, from Spring in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
You’ve probably heard of The Four Seasons; it’s the collective name for violin concertos No.
1 through No.
4.
In this second movement, it depicts flowers blooming across a meadow, the rustling sound of leaves on branches reaching toward the sky, and the barking of hunting dogs.
Over the quiet lines of the strings, the solo violin plays a tranquil, pastoral melody.
Habanera Opening No. 83: AllegroCamille Saint-Saëns
It is said that when Saint-Saëns set out on a concert tour with the violinist Albertini in 1885, he conceived this work in front of a brightly blazing fireplace at a hotel in Brest, where they were rained in during early winter.
After completing it, he dedicated the piece to Albertini as a memento of the trip.
Listeners can enjoy a folk-like melody in the habanera rhythm alongside virtuosic passages.