Concerto For Violin And Orchestra

This work was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate its 40th birthday. The first performance took place in June 1986 at St. Magnus' Cathedral, Kirkwall, as part of the tenth St. MagnusFestival.

Writtenfor and first performed by Isaac Stern, Davies's Violin Concerto brings together two streams in his music: symphonism and folk-fiddling. In its strongly developed substance, it asks to be measured in the companyof Beethoven,Brahms and Sibelius, while there is also, particularly in the middle movement, a strong element of the Scots lament. The orchestra is generally muted in colour, though there is a dramatic role for thetimpanist.

There are threemovements, played without a break - this is only one of many connections with the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto.

Duration c. 30mins.