Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 26
Max Bruch
Work background
Researched classical background
Bruch revised his First Violin Concerto with advice from Joseph Joachim. The opening is described as a prelude and leads directly into the broad slow movement, giving the first two sections a close relationship. The solo violin balances sustained singing lines with brilliant passagework, and the finale introduces a strongly accented dance character. Its popularity should not obscure Bruch's two later violin concertos.
A listening guide
Listen to how the first movement releases its tension into the Adagio without a conventional complete stop.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Solo violin and orchestra
Composition: 1866 original version; revised 1867
The familiar revised score was introduced publicly in 1868; Joachim advised on the violin writing.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Date, title and version notes
The original and revised concerto have different dates; this entry refers primarily to the customary revised version.
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
BSO | Bruch - Violin Concerto in G minor
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 - LA Phil
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
BSO | Bruch - Violin Concerto in G minor
Work identity, chronology where stated, and the specific musical or historical context summarized in this entry. | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.