Rode, Pierre (1774-1830)

Pierre Rode's Violin Concerto No. 4 in A major probably dates from 1798-1800. The first movement, Allegro giusto, begins with the usual orchestral tutti and dramatic entrance of the soloist. Unusual for Rode is the double-stopping that follows the upward thrusting triplets during the initial flourish. The exposition features several lyrical themes, the second and most important having been played by the flutes during the opening orchestral tutti. Rode has tightened his structural sections as compared to the third concerto: not only is the opening tutti forty measures shorter but the tutti connecting the exposition to the middle or development section is only fourteen measures. The middle section relies heavily on filigree passages in triplets, and the soloist plays without cease into the final recapitulation. The Adagio displays Rode's lyric gift to full effect, and the Rondo finale displays his usual energy and grace.