CaltechViolist

I'll get around to the second movement later, but my thoughts on the first movement:

I agree largely with what Marius said - while many sections of the movement are interesting, it has a distinct "assemblage of parts" feel. The music seems purposeful at times (very good use of rhythmic drive, especially measures 144 through 154), aimless at others (and I thought the cadenza-like bits for the violin seemed especially aimless)... perhaps the entire movement could be helped by changes in some of the transitions. Not all of them - some were extremely effective, such as in measure 164 - but others could use work.

I think one effect that gets overused in the movement is the long sustained chord as a means of moving from one section to another. It seems to me like the intent is to bring the music briefly to rest, but the impression I get is more like a grinding halt than a pause for breath.

I disagree with Marius on one point: I thought the "oom-pah" effect in the piano, measures 97-118 and 136-143, didn't quite belong. It's a bit off-putting to hear what I usually think of as a rhythmic cliche, in the middle of a movement that clearly has more modern sensibilities, and I'm not sure what it added to the piece.