Taught by renowned violinist
William Hagen
Brahms's Violin Concerto, composed in 1878 for the great Joseph Joachim, has since earned its place among the greatest works for violin. Though it features a somewhat unusual placement of the soloist (often functioning as a part of the orchestra), William Hagen uncovers its genius and illuminates its technical demands in these three lessons for the advanced violinist.
I. Allegro non troppo
What did Brahms mean with his markings? In his lesson on the first movement, William Hagen talks about interpreting the score, and what that means for bowing, phrasing, and dynamics. Hagen shares the meaning of the Contrast Principle, how we have to think like actors on stage, and effective practice strategies.
II. Adagio
In the introduction to the Adagio movement, our job as violinists is to respond to the oboe. Hagen urges us to remember that we're creating community with the orchestra, not always playing on top of it. This lesson touches on the ephemerality of bowings, the value of tension, and how to leave the audience breathless by the final note.
III. Allegro giocoso, ma non troppo vivace – Poco più presto
The celebratory third movement starts familiar, with dancing sixteenths, and then ventures into more varied virtuosity. Hagen continues his technical analysis, offering thoughts on articulation, tuning, fingering, and much more.
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Unlock Course →Frequent soloist, recording artist, and chamber musician, William Hagen plays with "Impeccable timing, an intellectual command of line and score."
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