Benjamin Morrison with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Giordano Bellincampi
Violinist Benjamin Morrison Photo: Supplied
Johannes Brahms’ friendship with violinist Joseph Joachim changed the course of both men’s lives. Joachim’s exceptional musicianship inspired Brahms to write his only concerto for that instrument, and since Brahms only had a general knowledge of the violin’s capabilities, Joachim’s technical expertise proved essential to the concerto’s creation.
All through the gestation of the work, the two friends corresponded, shipping scores back and forth until it was finished. Brahms took many of his friend’s suggestions, but not all.
Brahms left it to Joachim to supply a cadenza for the first performance. But many others have written cadenzas for the work as well. Benjamin Morrison plays the one by Fritz Kreisler.
Recorded by RNZ Concert, Auckland Town Hall, 22 July 2021
Engineer: Adrian Hollay; Producer: Tim Dodd
