Work of the Week – Wilhelm Petersen: Violin Concerto

By Christopher Peter
17 Mar 2025

A sketched portrait study of Wilhelm Petersen shows him seated in an antique chair, engrossed in an open book. The pencil drawing emphasizes fine lines and facial details, while a soft color gradient subtly enhances the background.

Good things come to those who wait: After nearly 80 years in obscurity, Wilhelm Petersen’s Violin Concerto is finally receiving its world premiere. On March 23, 2025, the piece will be performed for the first time at Leipzig’s Gewandhaus. The MDR Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Constantin Trinks, will bring the work to life with soloist Linus Roth. Simultaneously, the performance materials will be published by Robert Lienau (Schott Music Group), allowing this long-forgotten concerto to take its rightful place in the repertoire.

_{Violinist Linus Roth presents the world premiere of Wilhelm Petersen's concerto}

Unheard for Decades

Petersen composed his only Violin Concerto nearly 80 years ago, but it was neither published nor performed during his lifetime. The manuscript remained hidden in his archives, as the composer never included it in his official catalog. Why such a long wait? Written in the 1940s, the concerto was overshadowed by historical events and, stylistically, stood apart from the avant-garde trends of the post-war years. Petersen had already developed his musical language by the mid-1920s—a tonal yet harmonically rich and structurally clear approach. However, at a time when atonality dominated the contemporary music scene, Petersen’s traditional idiom did not align with prevailing tastes. In recent years, interest in his work has grown, particularly following the OPUS KLASSIK award for a recording of his Third Symphony in 2023. This renewed attention has now led to the long-overdue premiere of his Violin Concerto.

Virtuoso Sounds in Three Movements

Structured in the classical three-movement form, the concerto opens with a powerful Allegro moderato, followed by a lyrical Andante, and concludes with a lively Rondo (Allegro). Petersen blends late-Romantic lyricism with bold harmonic colors, creating a work that is both expressive and structurally sophisticated. The solo violin engages in an intricate dialogue with the orchestra, weaving soaring melodies with dynamic polyphonic textures. Reminiscent of Brahms and Reger, Petersen’s writing combines rich orchestration with a unique personal touch. The orchestral setting, featuring woodwinds, four horns, two trumpets, strings, harp, and timpani, enhances the concerto’s vibrant sound palette, making it a compelling addition to the violin repertoire.

_{New Performance Material at Robert Lienau Musikverlag}

A Composer Beyond the Mainstream

Wilhelm Petersen (1890–1957) was one of those 20th-century composers who developed their own voice outside the dominant musical trends. While contemporaries like Hindemith and Stravinsky explored modernist and neoclassical paths, Petersen remained rooted in tradition. Born in Athens, he later became a prominent figure in the musical life of Darmstadt and Mannheim. His works include five symphonies (one published posthumously), a piano concerto, the opera Der goldene Topf (1941), a large-scale mass, and numerous choral and chamber music pieces. His Violin Concerto, however, is unique in his oeuvre—remaining undiscovered for decades. Now, with its upcoming premiere, it is finally reclaiming its place in Petersen’s body of work.

What do you think?

How do rediscovered compositions like this enrich today’s concert landscape? What significance do delayed premieres have for classical music? Let us know—we’d love to hear your thoughts!