In the process of composing the Violin Concerto in D Major, Stravinsky consulted both violinist Samuel Dushkin (his collaborator on many other works for violin), and fellow composer Paul Hindemith. Stravinsky's own instrument was piano, and he wanted to ensure that his creation was not only musically interesting, but also something violinists could and would play. For a concerto, it is quite short - all four movements can be played together in around 20 minutes, with each movement averaging about 5 minutes - and surprisingly cohesive, thanks in part to Stravinsky's unusual approach to tying the movements together thematically. The first three movements begin with a very similar motive, a long, multiple-note chord and an ensuing rhythm that clearly marks the beginning of something new; the final movement includes the chord, but it is expressed very quickly, moving straight on. This great concerto by Stravinsky has experienced some popularity lately, but it is still underplayed! Ideal for advanced players looking for something a little different.