Rózsa composed the Violin Concerto op. 24 in a classical three-movement arrangement in the summer of 1953 in a villa in Italy. The composer wrote about the demanding solo part: “The piece is already difficult (though no more difficult, basically, than the Brahms, Tchaikovsky or Bartók concertos) and needs a technically perfect violinist.” He had secured an excellent partner for the concerto in Jascha Heifetz, the soloist of the premiere and dedicatee of the concerto. Heifetz can also be heard on the first recording of the concerto with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Walter Hendl. The premiere and lively exchanges with the soloist inspired Rózsa to make some revisions, including revising the metronome markings, adding an easier ossia-variation at the end of the first movement, and giving an alternative “Second ending ad lib.” The concerto is convincing for its combination of varied rhythms and lyrical themes, virtuoso passagework for both the solo part and the orchestra, and scenic sounds.

17 years later, Rózsa used this concerto for the film score to The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.


CD:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra, cond. Walter Hendl
CD 7963-2-RG