When they talk about the musician, he is the first violin in the orchestra, even it is clear to the uninitiated that this is not an ordinary performer. What is the point, when the tradition was born, why the violin? The proposed article answers these questions.

Violin - conductor

The concept of the first violin is only in the music world. In reference books and encyclopedias they write about violins. The first word is not present in the description. And if you approach this from the other side, the violin has a bow very similar to a conductor’s wand. Conducting instruments used to be different. And they directed the game of the orchestra in a different way.

One of the predecessors of the modern conductor’s wand was like drin 180 cm high. She was called a butt, which beat the rhythm, striking the base on the floor.

The orchestra was also dominated not by violins, but by a harpsichord, organ. But in the 18th century the situation changed. Violins took a leading role in the orchestra hierarchy, the role of the first violinist increased. The conductor knocked, beat the beat, and the violin held and led the melody. In the 19th century, the violinist necessarily led the orchestra.

The transfer of the leading role to the conducting hands was gradual. For a performer with a bow and instrument from Stradivarius, Guarneri, Amati, for whom only “Her Majesty is Music” matters, and the position is not the main thing. This is one of the reasons why the palm was given.

But for a long time, the violinists held it in their hands, they stood at the conductor's console, because they knew best how to wield a bow that looked like a wand. But the accompanist was left with the first violin.She is an orchestra tuner and assistant conductor in perfecting the melody.

A bright representative combining the roles of a violinist conductor was the German composer Ludwig Spur. He worked as accompanist, bandmaster, he was revered as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart.

Interesting fact: Beethoven, recognizing the talent of Ludwig Spur, invited him to be the first violin in the famous musical group, in which he himself conducted. It was a tribute that continues to this day.

The combination of composing, conducting and playing the violin is also characteristic of Antonio Vivaldi. He, like other great composers and conductors, understood that the main violin was played by the first violin, the structure and sound of the orchestra depended on it.

Interesting fact: accompanists are in every group of performers, not only in the violin. If in a concert there are solo moments that they lead, then the role of accompanist, for example, winds is also important. But the first violin leads not only the violin group, but the entire orchestra.

The role of the first violinist is not visible to the audience, they do not know all the intricacies of the performers. But he feels his responsibility to musicians and listeners. For this, the conductor’s handshakes and thunderous applause from the audience are worthy.

The conductor shakes hands with the first violin, because: the violinist performing the main part is the tuning fork for the orchestra, the first violin is the orchestra accompanist, the second musician after the conductor, the first violinist is the orchestra soloist, realizing the conductor's plan.