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Melody

Melodies can be created by using different features which can affect such things as to how it moves and how it is articulated. The following points are found in the Violin Concerto:

• the violin melody has a wide range of pitches, which makes the melody sound emotional

• long lyrical melodies were not always given to the soloist and supporting instruments were give leading melody lines

• Brahms implements a variety of phrase lengths, whereas in the classical style they tend to be of equal length

Rhythm

The points to refer to include:

• an increased amount of syncopated rhythms are played in the finale
• the rhythms give the music a dance-like feel and were characteristic of Hungarian folk music from the solo violinist's native country

Texture and dynamics

Texture refers to the different layers in composition and how they interact with one another and dynamics can help control the intensity of the piece. Brahms writes the concerto with:

• the orchestra provides accompaniment to the soloist
• the strings have long sustained notes, which create rich harmonies
• a scatter of orchestral motifs reflecting on the solo melody

• dramatic crescendos and diminuendos

Structure

There are three movements in the concerto. Keep in mind that:

• the first movement is in sonata form
• the third movement is in rondo form

Instrumentation and timbre

The concerto is written for solo violin and for a large orchestra. The following table breaks down the instruments into orchestral families.

Tonality and harmony

If asked to discuss these elements of music, consider:

• the piece is written in the key of D major.
• the second movement is in the contrasting key of F major
• the parallel major thirds are played on the solo violin by double stopping