Composer

:

Walter Piston

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1933

Average_duration

:

13:05

Walter Piston's "Concerto for Orchestra" is a three-movement work that was composed in 1939. The piece was premiered on November 16, 1940, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Serge Koussevitzky. The first movement, marked "Allegro," begins with a lively and rhythmic theme in the strings. This theme is then passed around to various sections of the orchestra, including the woodwinds and brass. The movement features a number of contrasting sections, including a lyrical theme in the strings and a playful section in the woodwinds. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played by the full orchestra. The second movement, marked "Andante espressivo," is a slow and contemplative piece that features a solo oboe melody. This melody is then taken up by the strings and developed throughout the movement. The middle section of the movement features a solo violin and a solo cello, who engage in a dialogue with each other. The movement ends with a return to the oboe melody, played by the full orchestra. The third movement, marked "Vivo," is a fast and energetic piece that features a number of rhythmic and melodic themes. The movement begins with a lively theme in the woodwinds, which is then taken up by the strings. The middle section of the movement features a fugue, in which various sections of the orchestra enter one by one with a new theme. The movement ends with a return to the opening theme, played by the full orchestra. Overall, Piston's "Concerto for Orchestra" is a lively and engaging work that showcases the various sections of the orchestra. The piece features a number of contrasting sections, including lyrical and playful themes, and is characterized by its rhythmic energy and melodic inventiveness.

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