Some composers actually resented that some of their works became so famous. While Johannes Brahms was humbly embarrassed at the huge success of his Symphony #3, calling it the “unfortunately over-famous Symphony,” Max Bruch was actually very much annoyed that his First Violin Concerto became so famous at the exclusion of his other equally fine music. He wrote to his publisher:
“Every fortnight another one comes to me wanting to play the First Concerto; I have now become rude, and tell them: ‘I cannot listen to this concerto any more—did I perhaps write just one? Go away, and play my other concertos, which are just as good, if not better.'”
But there's good reason for the Concerto's continued popularity with both violinists and audiences from the time of its premiere. Hear it for yourself: the Violin Concerto #1 by Max Bruch is today's Midday Masterpiece at 2:00 pm.
