The violin established itself as a popular solo instrument as early as the beginning of the 18th century. Early works evolved from the concerto grosso and reached their full development during the Classical period. Traditionally, the violin concerto has a three-movement structure, although modern composers like Dmitri Shostakovich also created four-movement works. Antonio Vivaldi, with his famous "Four Seasons," is among the most important composers of violin concertos of this era.
The genre experienced a particular golden age in the 19th century thanks to German composers. Ludwig van Beethoven composed his Violin Concerto in D major in 1806 for Franz Clement. This work, one of the earliest violin concertos of the 19th century, only received the attention it deserved after Joseph Joachim's revival of it in 1844. The first movement begins with an orchestral exposition in traditional form and is one of Beethoven's longest works. The second movement contrasts with the dramatic first, presenting a calm, serene mood before leading into the lively, dance-like third movement with a cadenza.
Joseph Joachim himself aptly described the four great German violin concertos: Beethoven's as the greatest and most uncompromising, Brahms's as its equal in its seriousness, Bruch's as the richest and most seductive, while Mendelssohn's is considered the most introspective, a "jewel of the heart."