Jennifer Higdon'sConcerto for Violin and Orchestra was written in 2008. The work was jointly commissioned by theIndianapolis Symphony Orchestra, theToronto Symphony Orchestra, theBaltimore Symphony Orchestra, and theCurtis Institute of Music.[1] It was composed for the violinistHilary Hahn and was given its world premiere by Hahn and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Mario Venzago on February 6, 2009. The piece was later awarded the 2010Pulitzer Prize for Music.[2][3][4]
The concerto has a duration of roughly 33 minutes and is composed in threemovements:
The work is scored for a solo violin and an orchestra comprising twoflutes (2nd doublingpiccolo), twooboes (2nd doublingEnglish horn), twoclarinets, twobassoons, fourhorns, threetrumpets, threetrombones,tuba,harp,timpani, two percussionists, andstrings.
The Violin Concerto has been praised by music critics. Reviewing theNew York City premiere,Allan Kozinn ofThe New York Times wrote, "Its big, exploratory opening movement is packed with quick, insistent solo lines and dialogues between the violin and either the full orchestra or individual sections or players; its lush, slow movement (here in the form of a chaconne) exploits the violin's lyrical qualities, and its finale is driven by daredevil speediness."[5] Duncan Druce ofGramophone similarly described the piece as "an attractive, colourful work, scored most imaginatively and with great finesse." He continued, "I enjoyed the first movement especially, its disparate material so expertly contrasted and integrated. The second movement, entitled 'Chaconni', has a pastoral feel, vaguely reminiscent ofVaughan Williams but with the lark ascending into a more unsettled sky. The finale, a real showpiece for the violin, is less substantial but rhythmically most inventive."[6]
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