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Weekend Concert 25: A Rarely Vigorous Number Two

2007/1/21 12:50:57

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Generally speaking, seconds tend to be weaker. For example, with children, the second-born tends to be relatively weaker in constitution and such -- not absolutely, but the proportion far exceeds the average. In creative work, this second-child syndrome is even more common. How many people remember Beethoven's No. 2 Symphony? Brahms's No. 2 Symphony is the weakest of his four. Even twentieth-century Shostakovich, after writing an outstanding No. 1 Symphony, completely lost his way with No. 2. There are too many such examples to list.

Actually, this phenomenon is quite normal. Generally the first is squeezed out under pressure -- everyone hopes to outdo others, to bridge past and future, with grand ambitions, plus having held it in too long, it all gushes out at once, often producing something outstanding. The second is different -- after a round of wild storms, a long refractory period is perfectly natural. At this point, one is usually forcing it, so how could the result not be limp?

The second is a major hurdle for anyone hoping to become a creator of substance. The refractory limpness of the second isn't really a big deal -- what matters is whether you can still be vigorous afterward; otherwise it's impotence, a flash in the pan. But nothing in this world is absolute -- there are those whose second is remarkably, rarely vigorous, if not their best work then certainly among their best. Today we're talking about two such works.

Paganini's First Violin Concerto was already quite outstanding, but astonishingly, this Italian's second was even better. Its most famous Third Movement should be familiar to anyone who has ever listened to classical music, because the arrangements and Variations derived from it are simply too numerous. As for the Russian's second, it's also exceptionally outstanding. Whether his second or third is more powerful may spark debate, but without a doubt, in terms of sheer purity of passion, his second is the most worth anticipating.

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  • Weekend Concert25：Rachmaninoffc MinorNo. 2Piano Concerto1
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  • Weekend Concert25：Rachmaninoffc MinorNo. 2Piano Concerto2
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  • Weekend Concert25：Rachmaninoffc MinorNo. 2Piano Concerto3
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  • Weekend Concert25：Paganinib MinorNo. 2Violin Concerto1
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  • Weekend Concert25：Paganinib MinorNo. 2Violin Concerto2
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  • Weekend Concert25：Paganinib MinorNo. 2Violin Concerto3
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Replies​

Chán Zhōng Shuō Chán 2007/1/21 13:07:48

Hello everyone, Beijing's weather is great today, bright and sunny -- perfect for raising hell and picking fights. This ID is heading out to see if I can stir up some trouble, make a little contribution to our harmonious society.

Heading off, goodbye. Those who don't feel like raising hell or picking fights, just listen to music and find yourselves.