Written in the middle of the First World War, Karol Szymanowski’s Violin Concerto No. 1 conjures up an idyllic, sometimes bucolic world that has disappeared forever. The composer, who lets the solo violin sing a poetic statement in many of his orchestral works, now promotes the instrument to a leading role. Fragile, lyrical, poetic, the violin rises up to dizzying heights, especially in the first part and the cadenza (written by dedicatee Pawel Kochański). The second part (Vivace scherzando) is highly colourful with constant mood changes; the substantial interludes in the orchestra give the piano, celeste and two harps an important role in the creation of sound pictures. With over 320 performances in the last fourteen years, Violin Concerto No. 1 is one of the 20th century’s most popular works of this genre.