I have always loved the Barber Violin Concerto. It is a work complete with lush, soaring melodies, beautiful orchestration, and fiery virtuosity. Currently, it is the only violin concerto by an American-born composer to have become part of the standard repertoire. For me, its interesting connection to Chicago makes it even more special. Here's the story:

In 1939, Barber accepted a commission from Samuel Fels, a Philadelphia businessman. Fels had adopted Iso Briselli, a child violin prodigy born in Odessa, Russia. He wanted Barber to compose a concerto for his son to premiere. Fels offered Barber $1,000; $500 up front and $500 on completion of the score. As a young composer, Barber felt it was a pretty good deal. He wrote the beautiful, lyrical first two movements that summer. However, when Briselli saw them, he complained that they didn't have enough fireworks to show off his virtuosic ability. Barber responded with the brilliant perpetual motion last movement. It was apparently too difficult for Briselli, who declared it unplayable. Fels demanded the return of his down-payment. Having already spent the money, Barber had to prove that the last movement was indeed playable. Barber arranged for a Curtis Institute student to perform it in front of a jury of Curtis professors and other luminaries. After only two hours of practice, the student played the movement for the jury. The professors declared it to be a wonderful piece of music and determined that Barber should be allowed to keep his money. Fels, a member of the Board of Trustees of Curtis, was forced to pay the full commission. Needless to say, Briselli did not give the premiere of the concerto, and in fact quit the violin shortly thereafter. He joined his father's soap manufacturing company and pursued a successful career as a businessman. The renowned soloist Albert Spalding gave the premiere in 1941 with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

And the Chicago connection is: Albert Spalding (1888-1953) was born in Chicago! For many years, he was considered the greatest of the American-born violinists, inheriting that title from the great Maud Powell (who was born near Chicago in Peru, Illinois). Albert Spalding the violinist was the nephew of another famous Albert Spalding, the baseball hall-of-famer and founder of the sporting goods company.