Adès: Violin Concerto

Description

Thomas Adès's Violin Concerto Concentric Paths , written in 2005, is one of the most important additions to the violin concerto repertoire since Ligeti's. Cast in three contrasting movements—each linked by a preoccupation with circling musical figures— the concerto, subtitled Concentric Paths now occupies a place in standard repertoire. Two lithe, rhythmically driven movements, "Rings" and "Rounds" bookend "Paths," an intensely emotional and gritty exploration of passacaglia-like sequences, which peaks in a lyrical outpouring of exceptional beauty. This is the violin part and piano reduction.

"In just 20 minutes, this three-movement piece does something magical. The way it swirls ethereally in the first movement, exerts a tragic and vice-like grip in the chaconne-like second part and finally propels you into the uninhibited flight of the finale is like being spun into an infinite space." The Guardian (Tom Service)