Violin Concertos Nos. 2 & 8 - Introduction

Pierre Rode was the star pupil of Viotti (the greatest violinist of the day), in time becoming the leading exponent of the French Violin School. A great virtuoso - he premièred Beethoven's last Violin Sonata - he composed exclusively for his own instrument and his thirteen concertos, along with his Caprices, are his greatest compositional legacy. The Violin Concerto No. 2 is notable for it's contrasts between challenging virtuosity and lyrical interludes, whilst Concerto No. 8 is one of his most beautiful works, with long-breathed melodies and dramatic flourishes. This is the fourth of five volumes containing all thirteen of Rode's Violin Concertos.