Camille Saint-Saëns

Concerto for Violin No. 3 in B minor, op. 61

The CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61 was written in March of 1880, when Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) was 44 years old and at the peak of his output. Written for fellow composer and virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate, the soloist initially deemed the work not virtuosic enough to satisfy audiences, although time and seeing the work win success for other soloists led to a revived enthusiasm and the concerto's inclusion in Sarasate's repertoire. Saint-Saëns places the dramatic and technical passages in the 1st and 3rd movements, while the 2nd movement is graceful and songlike. This concerto, along with the INTRODUCTION AND RONDO CAPRICCIOSO, Op. 28, and the HAVANAISE, Op. 83, remain the most popular works for violin and orchestra by Saint-Saëns. Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc).2.2.2: 2.2.3.0: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Violin. Edited by Clinton Nieweg and Nancy Bradburd.