Scottish Fantasy
The Scottish Fantasy in E-flat major (German: Fantasie für die Violine mit Orchester und Harfe unter freier Benutzung schottischer Volksmelodien), Op. 46, is a composition for violin and orchestra by Max Bruch.[1]: 164 Completed in 1880, it was dedicated to the virtuoso violinist Pablo de Sarasate.[2]
It is a
Although Bruch visited Scotland for the first time only a year after the premiere of the work, he had access to a collection of Scottish music at Munich Library in 1868. In paying homage to Scottish tradition, the work gives a prominent place to the harp in the instrumental accompaniment to the violin. The Scottish Fantasy is one of several signature pieces by Bruch that is still widely heard today, along with his first violin concerto and Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra.
Composition
Bruch composed the work in Berlin during the winter of 1879–1880. Despite the dedication to Sarasate, Joseph Joachim was involved in the fingering and bowing of the solo part. It was published by Simrock as Fantasie: für die Violine mit Orchester und Harfe unter freier Benutzung schottischer Volksmelodien, Op. 46.[1]: 168
Premiere
The premiere was in
Movements
The opus consists of the following movements:[5]
Instrumentation
The work is scored for solo violin, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, bass drum, suspended cymbal (played with triangle beater), harp, and strings.[5]
Notable recordings
Many famous violinists have recorded the work, including
An excerpt, recomposed by Jay Chattaway, was played by the character Jean-Luc Picard in The Inner Light (Star Trek: The Next Generation).[citation needed]
References
- Notes
- ^ a b c d e Fitfield 2005
- ISBN 978-1-84383-136-5.
- ^ Pine 2005
- ^ Steinberg 2000
- ^ a b Bruch 1880.
- Sources
- Bruch, Max (1880). Fantasie für die Violine mit Orchester und Harfe, unter freier Benutzung schottischer Volksmelodieen, Op. 46. Berlin: N. Simrock, GmbH.
- Fitfield, Christopher (2005). Max Bruch: His Life and Works. Boydell Press. ISBN 1-84383-136-8.
- Pine, Rachel Barton (2005). Scottish Fantasies for Violin and Orchestra (CD). Cedille Records. CDR 90000 083. Archived from the original on 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2010-01-16.
- Steinberg, Michael (2000). The Concerto: A Listener's Guide. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-513931-3.