Baerenreiter Verlag Concerto in E minor op. 64 - Mendelssohn/Todd/Brown - Violin/Orchestra - Full Score - Book

Early version 1844 and late version 1845

Composer: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Editor: R. Larry Todd, Clive Brown
Format: Book, Urtext Edition
Version: Full Score

• New source situation owing to recently rediscovered proofs
• Revised Urtext edition
• With a separate booklet on performance practice (Eng/Ger)

Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto op. 64, is a key work of the 19th century, adhering to the classical style of Beethoven while pointing the way to the romantic ethos of Brahms. It has long been known that Mendelssohn performed the work with three soloists in succession: Ferdinand David, who worked closely with the composer during its composition and played it at the premiere; the 'child prodigy' Joseph Joachim; and Hubert Leonard, a young Belgian virtuoso about whom little is known.

As proof sheets for the Violin Concerto in E minor were long considered lost, it could be described as somewhat of a sensation when proofs for the solo violin part resurfaced together with a letter from Mendelssohn to Leonard.

The letter informs us that the composer invited Leonard to his home in Frankfurt in order to make his acquaintance. It was already known that Mendelssohn had given proof sheets to David; now we know that he also gave some to Leonard.

The recently discovered proofs reveal how Leonard played the concerto with Mendelssohn on that memorable evening in February 1845. Besides containing bowing marks and fingering, they also show how Leonard executed shifts of position and where he employed open strings. Furthermore modifications made to dynamic markings and additional legato bowing are shown.

It is safe to assume that all of this was done with Mendelssohn's approval. That the young violinist made a positive impression on the composer is confirmed in the latter's correspondence following their joint performance. Mendelssohn is full of praise for Leonard's playing and offers to lend his support in finding employment in Germany.

This revised edition of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto (only the orchestral parts remain unchanged) includes a separate booklet on performance practice.

The editor, Clive Brown, is an acknowledged expert on Romantic performance practice.

Contents:

• Introduction:
  • Genesis and Publication (R. Larry Todd)
  • The Solo Part and Its Earliest Performers (Clive Brown)
  • Hubert Leonard (Richard Sutcliffe)
  • Performance Practices in Mendelssohn's Leipzig (Clive Brown)
• Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor op. 64 - First Version 1844
• Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor op. 64 - Final Version 1845
• Facsimiles
• Critical Commentary