Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings, D 438 (Schubert)

Summary

The Rondo for Violin and Strings, D 438, is a composition in A major by Franz Schubert. He wrote the rondo in 1816. Like the roughly contemporary Adagio and Rondo concertante in F major, D 487, the work is a concertante piece designed to highlight the skills of the violin soloist.

Background edit

Schubert composed the piece in 1816, along with a number of other works featuring a violin soloist including the three sonatinas (D 384/385 & D 408) and the Konzertstück in D major, D 345. It is believed that the work was composed with the intent that either the composer himself or his brother Ferdinand would take the soloist's part.[1][2]

The piece was unpublished during the composer's lifetime, not seeing publication until 1897, when Breitkopf & Härtel published it in an edition edited by Eusebius Mandyczewski.[3][1]

Structure edit

The composition, which is written for a violin soloist and an accompanying group made up of violins, violas & cellos,[a] is structured as a single multi-tempo movement divided into two sections, the Introduction (Marked: Adagio) and the Rondo (Marked: Allegro giusto). It takes around 13 – 15 minutes to perform.

References edit

Notes
  1. ^ This accompanying group can be as small as a standard string quartet.
  1. ^ a b (Dearling 1996, p. 3)
  2. ^ (Markow 2007)
  3. ^ (Simon 2008) [dead link]
Sources
  • Castillo, Patrick (2013). "Concert Program VIII: The Solo Voice" (PDF). Menlo School. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  • Dearling, Robert (1996). Mysliveček, Viotti & Spohr: Violin Concertos (PDF) (CD). Hyperion Records. CDA66840.
  • Markow, Robert (2007). "Concert Program Notes - Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings, D. 438 (1816)". National Arts Centre of Canada. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  • Sheppard Skærved, Peter (23 November 2013). "Franz Schubert –A Major Rondo for Violin & Strings D438-Some Unmusical Considerations". Peter-Sheppard-Skaerved.com. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  • Simon, Benjamin (2008). "Program Notes - Virtuosi, January 2008". San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2016.

External links edit

  • Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings, D438: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
  • "Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings, D 487 (In version for Soloist and String Quartet)". YouTube. 16 June 2014.
  • "Rondo in A major for Violin and Strings, D 487 (In version for Soloist and String Orchestra)". YouTube. 29 July 2012.