After hearing the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform Martinu’s Symphony No. 1 in New York, Mischa Elman commissioned the composer to write a violin concerto for him. Martinu thereupon composed his Second Violin Concerto in 1943. That same year Elman played the solo part at the première, with Sergei Koussevitzky conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra.<br>
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This piano reduction is based on the musical text of the first edition. The solo part has been revised by a leading Czech violinist and performer of Martinu’s music.<br>