Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor by Max Bruch (1866) – One of the most popular concertos in the modern solo violin repertoire, Bruch himself rejected it after it earned its position there. He claimed, “Every fortnight another one comes to me wanting to play the first concerto. I have now become rude; and have told them: ‘I cannot listen to this concerto any more – did I perhaps write just this one?” He wrote two other concertos, neither of which gained the same traction as his first. It has been called one of the best works of the Romantic period. It is recorded often, and most people have probably heard at least one movement. The third movement is brilliant and energetic, a part that is arguably most famous, but the first movement is a staple of the repertoire that no practicing violinist will go without playing. 

Menuet Antique by Maurice Ravel (1895) – As evident from the title, Ravel wrote this piece with something from the past in mind. It was a tribute to Emmanuel Chabrier, a professor at the Paris Conservatoire when he was a student, who helped him gain recognition for his talent. It was written in the Minuet form, a common style in older music, in  A-B-A style, meaning an A section, followed by a contrasting B section, and the conclusion, which brings back the A section. The A section has a Majesteusement marking, despite its “sprightly” feeling developed through syncopation. The B section is labeled as Doux, and is often described as feeling like getting over depression.