Composer

:

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1988 - 1989

First Performance

:

Oct 19, 1989

Average_duration

:

22:41

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Einojuhani Rautavaara's Piano Concerto No.2 is a three-movement work for piano and orchestra. It was composed in 1989 and premiered on February 1, 1991, by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, with Ralf Gothóni as the soloist and the composer conducting. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a mysterious and atmospheric introduction in the orchestra, featuring a solo horn and strings. The piano enters with a series of arpeggios, leading to a lyrical and expressive theme. The movement is characterized by a sense of tension and drama, with the piano and orchestra engaging in a dialogue that ranges from delicate and introspective to powerful and virtuosic. The second movement, marked "Adagio assai," is a slow and contemplative meditation, featuring a hauntingly beautiful melody in the piano. The orchestra provides a rich and colorful accompaniment, with lush strings and delicate woodwind solos. The movement builds to a powerful climax before subsiding into a quiet and introspective coda. The final movement, marked "Allegro molto," is a lively and energetic romp, featuring a playful and rhythmic theme in the piano. The orchestra provides a lively and colorful accompaniment, with brass and percussion adding to the festive atmosphere. The movement is characterized by its virtuosic piano writing, with the soloist engaging in a dazzling display of technical fireworks. Overall, Rautavaara's Piano Concerto No.2 is a work of great beauty and depth, showcasing the composer's mastery of orchestration and his ability to create music that is both emotionally powerful and intellectually stimulating. It is a work that rewards repeated listening, revealing new layers of meaning and complexity with each hearing.

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