Composer

:

Alexei Konstantinovich Lebedev

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1949

Average_duration

:

6:20

Alexei Konstantinovich Lebedev was a Russian composer and guitarist who lived from 1844 to 1918. He is best known for his works for the guitar, including his Concert Allegro, which was composed in 1887. The Concert Allegro is a single-movement work for solo guitar and orchestra. It was premiered in Moscow in 1888, with Lebedev himself as the soloist. The piece is characterized by its virtuosic guitar writing and its use of Russian folk melodies. The Concert Allegro is divided into three main sections. The first section is marked Allegro moderato and is in sonata form. It begins with a lively guitar introduction, which is followed by the orchestra's exposition of the main theme. The guitar then takes up the theme and develops it, leading to a brief cadenza. The development section features a number of virtuosic passages for the guitar, including rapid arpeggios and scale runs. The recapitulation is followed by a coda, which brings the movement to a thrilling conclusion. The second section of the Concert Allegro is marked Andante and is a lyrical interlude. The guitar plays a simple melody, accompanied by the orchestra, which gradually builds in intensity before subsiding again. The final section of the Concert Allegro is marked Allegro vivace and is a lively dance. The guitar plays a series of rapid, syncopated rhythms, while the orchestra provides a lively accompaniment. The movement ends with a flourish, bringing the piece to a rousing conclusion. Overall, the Concert Allegro is a virtuosic showcase for the guitar, featuring a number of challenging passages and technical feats. It also demonstrates Lebedev's skill as a composer, with its use of Russian folk melodies and its effective orchestration.

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