{ program notes
Korngold, now forced to stay in
America, paid dearly for his film successes. To his sorrow, the classical world
spurned him for selling out to Hollywood.
In 1946, at the urging of violinist Bronislaw Huberman, he tried to rehabilitate
his career with his sumptuously Romantic
Violin Concerto. Its 1948 premiere, however, went not to Huberman, but to the
great Jascha Heifetz performing with the
Saint Louis Symphony.
As a Heifetz vehicle, this concerto was
designed to be a true virtuoso showpiece
for the soloist. And interestingly, it also
used themes from several of Korngold’s
film scores. The yearning principal
theme with which the violin opens the
first movement comes from Another
Dream (1937). After some playfully quick
transitional music, the violin turns to an
even more soaring and bittersweet theme;
this is from Juarez, a 1939 historical epic
starring Davis and Paul Muni.
Korngold’s Oscar-winning score for
Anthony Adverse provides the lovely, rather
sentimental theme for the slow movement, “Romance.” Here the violinist sings
from the heart and shows off the sweetness of the instrument’s high-register.
The luscious orchestral writing conjures
nocturnal mystery.
The breathless rondo-form finale calls
for the kind of fiery, high-speed playing
at which Heifetz excelled. When the
violin finally finds time