This is the second violin concerto written by the Polish violin virtuoso, Henryk Wieniawski. Wieniawski may have begun work on his second concerto, in D minor, in 1856, but the first performance did not take place until November 27, 1862, when he played it in St. Petersburg with Anton Rubinstein conducting. It was published in 1870, inscribed "to his dear friend Pablo de Sarasate".

Allegro moderato

Romance: Andante non troppo

Allegro con fuoco - Allegro moderato (à la Zingara)

Both main elements of the first movement, its sombre, restless first subject, and its lyrical pendant (begun by a solo horn) are discussed freely and subject to dazzling embellishments by the solo violin.

The slow movement, a Romance in Bb Major, follows without a break. It is based on a lilting tune in 12/8 time and rises to an impassioned central climax.

A rhapsodic passage marked Allegro con fuoco and mainly a solo cadenza, leads to the finale, a dashing rondo in the "Hungarian" gypsy style, which quotes the first movement's subsidiary theme in the course of its second and third episodes.

Although the first concerto in F-sharp minor is considered by some to be the better and more difficult work, Wieniawski's second violin concerto in D minor remains more popular as a result of its memorable themes.

Golding, Robin. Wieniawski: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 & 2, Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen. Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg. 1991. pp. 1-2.