Today's Song Vol. 1085 Schoenberg: Phantasy (Arnold Schönberg: Phantasy for violin and piano, 1949) Ryota Nakamura Violin Recital

Schoenberg's (born September 13, 1874 – died July 13, 1951) "Phantasy (Op. 47)" is a work from his later years, composed using the twelve-tone technique. Although it is a short piece of just under 10 minutes, it consists of the following four parts (the timings are based on the Gould-Menuhin video).

Part 1: Exposition. At the beginning, the violin plays a passionate and dramatic introductory motif (7:07).
Part 2: Adagio. A meditative and lyrical section (11:15).
Part 3: Scherzo-like section. Viennese dance-like and dynamic elements emerge (14:10).
Part 4: Coda. Previous material is compressed and recalled, leading to a climax where the violin's virtuosity and the piano's profound chords intersect (15:12).

For commentary, please see the information provided by the Arnold Schönberg Center.

There is a video of this piece featuring Glenn Gould (born September 25, 1932 – died October 4, 1982) and Yehudi Menuhin (born April 22, 1916 – died March 12, 1999) recording while in conversation.

For a recording with excellent sound quality, there is the 2021 release featuring violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja (born 1977) and pianist Joonas Ahonen (born 1984).

On the morning of August 3, 2026, we will be hosting the "Young Artist Support Project (Commemorating the Double Grand Prix Win at the 13th Saitama String Competition & SAKURA JAPAN MUSIC COMPETITION 2025) Ryota Nakamura Violin Recital" at Blue Rose in Suntory Hall, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Up-and-coming violinist Ryota Nakamura will be performing this "Phantasy" at the recital, so please come and listen.

Additionally, following this recital, we will be hosting "MUSIC FESTIVAL 2026," where many young performers will showcase their music, so please be sure to listen to that as well.

(by R)