Violin Concerto in b minor, Op. 61

Composer: ELGAR, Sir Edward
  • Elgar’s three-movement Violin Concerto in b minor was written between 1905-10. Elgar dedicated the piece to Fritz Kreisler, who also premiered the piece in 1910 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Elgar).1
    • The extensive timeline for composing the work was due to the fact that it was “a labor of love rather than profit.”
  • Fun fact – Op. 61 is not the composer’s first violin concerto. He wrote one in 1890, early on in his career, but soon destroyed it. Elgar wouldn’t attempt another until he reached the height of his fame.2
  • Despite being a seasoned violinist himself, Elgar sought the help of musician William Henry Reed to help solidify the technical aspects of the soloist’s part. Elgar had Kreisler in mind from early on in the composition process.
  • In his score, Elgar wrote the following Spanish inscription: “Aquí está encerrada el alma de . . . . . (Here is enshrined the soul of . . . . .). Most theorize that the five dots refers to Elgar’s friend Alice Stuart-Wortley. In several letters to Alice, Elgar referred to “your” concerto.3

Sources

  1. “Violin Concerto, Op.61 (Elgar, Edward),” IMSLP, accessed November 19, 2025, https://imslp.org/wiki/Violin_Concerto,_Op.61_(Elgar,_Edward).
  2. Steven Ledbetter, “Violin Concerto in B minor, Opus 61,” Boston Symphony Orchestra, accessed November 19, 2025, https://www.bso.org/works/elgar-violin-concerto.
  3. Adrian Jack, “Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 61 (1905–10),” BBC Radio 3, accessed November 19, 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/classical/elgar/notes/note_violinconc.shtml.

Cut IDs

49997 13775 18407 21749 25522