PIERRE RODE’S “24 CAPRICES” THROUGH THE PRISM OF HIS VIOLIN CONCERTOS

Abstract

The purpose of the work is to conduct a comprehensive exploration of Pierre Rode’s “24 Caprices” within the contextof his violin concertos. The article highlights the connections between these caprices and Rode’s concert works, outlining shared features of his performing and compositional style, and examining their contribution to shaping the genre of the concert étude within the tradition of the late 18th – early 19th century French violin school. Special attention is given to Rode’s unique artistic traits, such as a tendency towards theatricality, declamatory expressiveness, cantilena-like melodies, and rich diversity of bowing techniques and timbral solutions. Methodology. The research employs a multi-faceted approach combining historical-stylistic, structural-analytical, and comparative methods. A detailed analysis of musical texts of Rode’s caprices and concertos was carried out, focusingon dramaturgy, bowing techniques, and the influence of vocal genres (especially operatic arias) on his instrumentalwriting. This study draws on both musical examples and scholarly sources by contemporary musicologists.Scientific novelty. For the first time, the study closely examines how Rode’s “24 Caprices” serve not onlyas a continuation of tradition but also as the culmination of his concert activity and a unique artistic statement.The research identifies shared features between the caprices and concertos: an inclination toward cantilena, pronouncedtheatricality, declamatory expressiveness, and the aspiration to expand the violin’s timbral and expressive possibilities.The work reveals how the caprices combine pedagogical purpose with high artistic value, raising them above purely technical repertoire.Conclusions. The analysis confirms that Rode’s “24 Caprices” both codify key techniques of the French violin school and reflect his individual style, marked by virtuosity, noble restraint, expressiveness, and melodic lyricism. These works became a crucial link between classical tradition and the emerging romantic approach to the concert étude, significantly influencing the development of the genre and the training of future performers. The study emphasizes the dual significanceof the caprices – as both artistic masterpieces and valuable pedagogical tools – enhancing our understanding of Rode’soeuvre and the specifics of the transitional period in French violin performance.