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Infamous Hanslick Review
- Edward Hanslick's scathing 1881 review called Tchaikovsky's violin concerto "beaten black and blue."
- Despite this, the concerto became one of the most beloved works in the repertoire.
Composed During Personal Crisis
- Tchaikovsky sketched the violin concerto in eleven days while in Clarja, Switzerland after escaping a disastrous marriage.
- He wrote the piece amid a furious burst of composition that included other major works.
Lalo's Spark And Tchaikovsky's Balance
- Lalo's Symphony Espagnole inspired Tchaikovsky's approach, combining showmanship with melodic beauty.
- The concerto balances virtuosity and heartfelt lyricism rather than pure bravura.