Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1839

Publication Date

:

1863

First Performance

:

Jan 7, 1857

Average_duration

:

21:08

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Franz Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125, is a virtuosic work for piano and orchestra. It was composed between 1839 and 1849, with the premiere taking place in Weimar, Germany, on January 7, 1857, with Liszt himself as the soloist. The concerto is divided into three movements. The first movement, marked Adagio sostenuto assai, begins with a slow and melancholic introduction by the orchestra, followed by a virtuosic cadenza by the piano. The main theme is then introduced by the piano, which is developed throughout the movement. The second movement, marked Allegro agitato assai, is a fast and energetic scherzo, with the piano and orchestra engaging in a lively dialogue. The third movement, marked Allegro moderato, is a rondo that features a lively and playful main theme, with the piano and orchestra trading off melodic material. One of the characteristics of this concerto is its technical demands on the soloist. Liszt was known for his virtuosic piano writing, and this concerto is no exception. The soloist is required to play rapid runs, arpeggios, and octaves, as well as execute complex chordal passages and trills. Another characteristic of the concerto is its use of thematic transformation. Liszt takes the main themes from each movement and transforms them throughout the work, creating a sense of unity and coherence. Overall, Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125, is a masterpiece of the Romantic era. Its technical demands and thematic transformation make it a challenging and rewarding work for both the soloist and the orchestra.

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