Max Bruch (1838-1920) was a German Romantic composer and conductor best known for his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, which remains one of the most popular violin concertos in the classical repertoire. He composed throughout the Romantic period, creating works that were firmly rooted in the traditional Germanic style rather than following the more progressive movements of his time.

Besides his famous violin concerto, Bruch wrote significant works including the Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra, and three symphonies. He was also a distinguished teacher, serving as a professor at the Berlin Academy of Music from 1890 to 1910.

Despite his long and productive career with many compositions across different genres, Bruch’s enduring fame rests largely on his G minor violin concerto. He actually became somewhat frustrated by this during his lifetime, as the overwhelming popularity of this single work overshadowed his other compositions.