The Violin Music of Beethoven

A brief explanation only is needed with respect to this reprint of articles which have been appearing in The Strad for the past two or three years.

Those compositions of Beethoven in which members of the string family participate as solo instruments only, have been regarded as coming within its scope; to the exclusion of the orchestral works. Moreover, the symphonies have been so ably treated by the late Sir George Grove, that to cover again the same ground would be a work of supererogation.

Young students often suppose that they ought to admire every work which proceeds from a great genius; an attempt therefore has been made to convey some idea of the relative art-value and importance of the various compositions discussed in these pages. For between the best work of any man and his least inspired, there is a wide difference. Certainly nothing annoyed the great master more than to hear his least mature works praised, especially at a time when many of his greatest creations were too little studied to be understood save by a few.

In addition to such historical notes as could be gathered, some assistance in analysing the form and construction of Beethoven's chamber music - a knowledge so necessary for ensuring a correct balance in performance - and also a few hints as to the best editions have been offered.