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Donald Macleod examines how violinist Joseph Joachim found himself at the centre of fierce musical and personal rivalries.

The 19th century was an exciting time for classical musicians. Urban centres across Europe and the New World were expanding rapidly, creating a profitable music circuit for touring performers – particularly if you had the talent and star-power to attract audiences in large numbers! A new breed of performer began to emerge: extraordinary virtuosos whose dazzling abilities made them into international sensations. Liszt, Chopin, Clara Schumann and Paganini are among the names best remembered today but there were many others. This week, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of four more 19th-century ‘showstoppers’ who were equally celebrated in their day, and who also turned their talents to composing.

Today, we follow the fortunes of one of the greatest violinists of the 19th century. Joseph Joachim was a new breed of virtuoso, a humble and generous musician who was determined to put his considerable abilities at the service of the music and composers he most admired. But he could also be stubborn and jealous, leading him to fall out with friends and mentors, and even to sabotage his own marriage.

3 Stücke, Op.2, No.1, Romanze
Rainer Schmidt, violin; Saiko Sasaki, piano

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D major (1st movt cadenza by Joseph Joachim)
Henryk Szeryng, violin, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Bernard Haitink

Joachim: Notturno Op.12
Daniel Hope, violin, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sakari Oramo

Quartettsatz
Israel String Quartet

Violin Concerto No.2 in D minor, Op.11 'A la hongroise': III. Finale alla Zingara: Allegro con spirito
Christian Tetzlaff, violin, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, directed by Thomas Dausgaard