Musical Characteristics and Performance Techniques of Romantic Violin Concertos—Taking the First Movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor as an Example

The Violin Concerto in E Minor is the only violin concerto by Romantic composer Mendelssohn.Its first movement is known as the "Immortal Melody."This article, utilizing literature, musical example analysis, and observational methods, explores the musical characteristics of Romanticism embodied in this first movement through an in-depth analysis.These include both the inheritance and breakthroughs in modal and tonality, harmonic arrangement, and formal structure.The article also examines its performance techniques from the perspectives of bow speed and bow section distribution.The article concludes that Romantic violin concertos inherit the rigor of Classicism while also embodying the innovative, dramatic, symphonic, and lyrical musical characteristics of Romanticism.Their performance techniques embody both virtuosity and individuality, and unify form and emotion, requiring performers to possess strong comprehensive performance skills.This article aims to help future performers deepen their understanding of the musical characteristics and performance techniques of Romantic violin concertos and provide practical performance advice.