Alban Berg: Violin Concerto (1935)

 

Alban Berg

Alban Berg (1885 - 1935) was an Austrian composer, and one of the members of the Second Viennese School.  Also a major hero of mine; all his compositions made a tremendous impact on me.  One that immediately comes to mind is his Violin Concerto of 1935.  Sadly, it was his final composition.  Much of the concerto is shrouded in tragedy; the fact that it was his final piece is only one of the connected sadnesses.   Berg died at age 50 on Christmas Eve 1935, not long after he finished the concerto. He  never lived to hear its premiere.  

An interesting side note: the second public performance in 1936 was conducted by Anton Webern.  Like Berg, he too was a member of the Second Viennese School, and also a massive hero of mine. 

Alban Berg (L) and Anton Webern

I first discovered this composition in my late teens as an undergrad.  The first time I heard it, it felt like someone had physically hit me with something to knock me over.  I'd never heard anything like it.  The harmonic environment sounds entirely three-dimensional; as if this music could not be contained within a flat, printed page.  It seemed to be harmonically constructed in such a way that it just hovered in the air.   

page from the autograph score

Though I've been listening to this piece and studying the score for decades, it never ceases to stun and deeply impact me, every time I hear it. Everything about it.  The two-movement form.  The dodecaphonic compositional textures and fabrics.  The opening theme in fifths. The emotional content.  The backstory of its conception and dedication, and more.  The sheer impact of the piece.

If you're unfamiliar with this composition, here are some listening recommendations.

• Second performance, 1936. Conducted by Anton Webern. 
• Boston Symphony with score
• WDR Symphony; Zimmerman/Janowski (live concert performance) 

  Enjoy.

-kk 

  

Walter Gropius (L) and Manon Gropius, dedicatee of the Violin Concerto.