As I was walking in the early morning hours today, plugged into my trusted iPod, I couldn’t decide with which to listen - my choice being between two stellar violin masterpieces.  The composers: two of the greatest geniuses who ever set foot on this earth. 

The violin concerto (con -chair-toe) is the signature piece of many great composers.  Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), composed his E minor concerto as one of his last large orchestral works.  It calls to be played “Allegro Molto Apassionato” – very passionately.  Rich in sweet melodies and recurring themes, the Mendelssohn violin concerto is one of the most popular and most perfect of all violin concertos ever written.  It is also unique because of the fact that the violin is played almost immediately as the 1^st movement begins.  Tip: Listen to this concerto numerous times to get past the 50 million note barrage.  You will not regret it.  Once you listen again and again, you will surely be humming some of the melodies at work. 

Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) tells his story in a stirring violin concerto which has a strong, dark, brooding quality and absolutely incredible melodies and solos.  Because Beethoven was a tormented soul in his lifetime, you can hear his resistance and passion for life, all at the same time.  Way down under that hard exterior is the tenderness of a flower composed into a spectacular, three movement masterpiece that one can only call Ludwig Van.  Tip: Fall asleep listening to the first movement…and oh, the places you’ll go.