Chapter 6 Music Theory and Analysis (1 video)

The Place where Brahm's Violin Concerto was born

Brahms valued his privacy and often retreated to the countryside to compose and escape the distractions of city life.

It was the year 1878 when, in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, a picturesque lakeside town in southern Austria, where Brahms often spent summers in serene and inspiring locations to focus on composing, he composed the Violin Concerto during the summer of. For Brahms, Pörtschach was a place where "melodies come flying to you." 

When the Violin Concerto was composed, Brahms had already reached a certain artistic maturity, and he was enjoying rich collaborations with friends like Joseph Joachim, his close friend and collaborator. The two shared a deep mutual respect and worked closely on the Violin Concerto. Joachim provided critical feedback on the technical aspects of the violin part, ensuring its playability and artistry.

Brahms Other Famous Works Around This Time:

• Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 (1877)
• Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 (completed in 1881)
• String Quartet No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 51

Let's dive deeper now into the Music Theory & Analysis of Brahm's Violin Concerto.