Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, published as his Opus 35, followed three years after the completion of the First Piano Concerto of 1874–75, but ideas for such a concerto had occupied Tchaikovsky on and off during that period, including this Sérénade mélancolique in B minor for violin and orchestra, which was written towards the end of 1875 and first performed in Moscow on the following January 28.

The key suggests that Tchaikovsky’s thoughts were already turning towards a full-scale three-movement concerto for violin in D major, although several years were to pass before his magnificent full-scale work in that key appeared. The premiere of the wistful Sérénade mélancolique took place in Moscow in January 1876, although the music was not published until three years later.

from notes by Robert Matthew-Walker © 2010