Rodolphe Kreutzer: Violin Concerto No. 18 in E Minor – full score (NXP016)

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Instrumentation: 1.2.0.2 - 2.0.1.0 - violin solo - strings
80 pages

The Violin Concerto No. 18 in E minor begins Moderato with a fortissimo dramatic statement followed by a quiet response. The soloist enters with a dolce theme punctuated with forte measures and trills, and this leads to the usual second subject and development section.

At the end of the development section Kreutzer inserts an unusual Grave section featuring the soloist playing an espressivo theme against tremolo in the orchestra, which leads to the dramatic music of the beginning.

The second movement is a rhapsodic Adagio, beginning with a short tutti followed by a beautifully lyrical theme. A contrasting section gives way to an extended cadenza, which brings the soloist back to the original lyrical theme. A fine cadenza ends the movement.

The finale, a Rondo in 2/4 time, completes the concerto; this movement alternates the rondo tune with more lyrical sections and the usual passage-work.

Bruce R. Schueneman