Witold Lutosławski, Chain 2 (Chain II) - Violin Concerto

Witold Lutosławski’s Chain 2 is a dialogue for violin and orchestra that explores overlapping strands, where one section continues as the next begins, breaking the convention of moving from one section to another with a clear cadence. The piece, composed in 1984‑85, is structured in four movements that alternate ad libitum and battuta sections, and it was first performed in Zurich on 31 January 1986 by Anne‑Sophie Mutter with the Collegium Musicum ensemble under Paul Sacher, to whom it is dedicated. Lutosławski’s technique of non‑simultaneous commencement and cessation of parallel layers, the gradual reduction of aleatoric segments, and the complementary assignment of pitches to specific registers are all evident in Chain 2, creating a continuous, evolving musical narrative. The solo violin engages in a dialogue with the orchestra, with the violin’s melodic figuration often contrasting with the harmonic background provided by the orchestra, yet both elements interweave to form a cohesive whole. Maximilian Haft, a Belgian‑American violinist based in Geneva, performs contemporary repertoire and has premiered works with ensembles such as the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra and the Collegium Novum Zurich. His career spans major stages across Europe, North America, South America, and the Middle East, and he has recorded for labels including Mode Records, Kairos, and Wergo.