Bruch / Vaughan Williams / Barber

Soaring melodies are present in Barber’s Concerto as well. Although it opens with a generous and warm melody, it doesn’t take long for uncertainty to creep in, and large sections of the 1st movement are dominated by an “in-between” kind of feeling – in addition to the unbelievably triumphant and satisfying return of the opening theme of course! The 2nd movement is, for me, one of the most touching and heartbreaking pieces of music. It reminds me of Somewhere from West Side Story. Hope, pain, and longing for something better. It is just endlessly beautiful… The first two movements of the concerto are emotionally and dramatically linked in that they both have short solo violin cadenzas towards the end. The two are similar to each other – very tense and devastating, like an existential cry. They are followed by a bizarre, disturbing, entertaining, and adrenaline-inducing 3rd movement to end the piece. In a way it makes no sense to end this way, but that’s part of the fun of it.

Bruch’s Violin Concerto is a piece with its heart on its sleeve. The 1st movement is a very serious and dramatic introduction, the 2nd incredibly touching and sincere, and the 3rd so joyous and life affirming. This piece has accompanied me in many important and special moments in my life so far and I am so happy that it is with me in this one as well – my debut album with the Oslo Philharmonic, a fantastic group of musicians that I have loved and admired for many years!”

Sonoko Miriam Welde, Violin
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Tabita Berglund, Conductor
Joshua Weilerstein, Conductor