ON THIS DAY | Composer Max Bruch Was Born in 1838

Bruch composed over 200 works, including 3 symphonies, 3 violin concerti, "Scottish Fantasy" for Violin and Orchestra, "Romance" for Viola and Orchestra and "Kol Nidrei" for Cello and Orchestra

 

Bruch wrote his first composition, a song for his mother's birthday, at the age of nine. From that moment, his career and passion for music had taken off. At the age of 14, Bruch won a scholarship, granting him studies at Cologne. His first opera, Scherz, List und Rache, was performed in 1858.

His multifaceted career as a teacher, conductor, and composer gave him much success. He spent three seasons as the conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society. He proceeded to teach at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik (Berlin Academy of Arts) from 1890 until his retirement in 1910. His most notable student includes German pianist, composer, and writer Clara Mathilda Faisst.

From his many compositions, Bruch's most notable concert pieces include the Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, the Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra, and virtuoso pieces for the violin and cello. His brilliant Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor is one of the most popular Romantic violin concertos today.

 

ITZHAK PERLMAN | MAX BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 1 IN G MINOR | KAZUYOSHI AKIYAMA & TOKYO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 1991