Notes for Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by Elizabeth Raum
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (subtitled Faces of Woman) was written for the composer’s daughter, Erika, in 1992 on a commission by the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Conta, conductor. It was recorded and broadcast nationally by the CBC and Erika’s sister, Jessica, produced a documentary of the composing and performance of the work entitled Like Mother, Like Daughter, which has been aired many times on television. The work is in four movements.
Movement 1, moderato affettuoso, is quite conservative, reflecting simplicity and innocence, a questioning hesitancy with underlying romanticism. The second movement is attacca and is a lively waltz with trio that features music Erika, herself, had written as an unaccompanied violin piece for Jessica’s wedding. Elizabeth Raum set the music to an orchestral accompaniment and elaborated on the violin part for the concerto. The third movement creates an air of mystery, at once whimsical, sad, and mysterious. It is an opportunity for both the orchestra and the soloist to display many moods and colours. This movement passes directly into the ominous theme of the final movement. This is the music of frustration and passion which represents the realities of life. Motifs are tossed back and forth between soloist and orchestra in angry altercation. The lovely trio from the waltz struggles to reappear, but is cut short by dissonance from the orchestra. A Bach-like theme, again taken from music that Erika had written for her sister’s wedding, suddenly appears as if the soloist is attempting to find solidity in the turmoil of life. She plays on steadily in spite of the orchestra’s jibes. Later, the cellos take up the theme, but this time it is aggressive, fighting the soloist. But she continues defiantly to the end in a brilliant display of strength and bravura.
