Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra (Poulenc)

The Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor, FP 61 is a piano concerto by French composer Francis Poulenc.

Formation

The Concerto for Two Pianos was established in 1932 on behalf of Poulenc Princess Edmond de Polignac patron. It is considered one of the last works of the early phase composition Poulenc. Model in the conception of the work was loud Poulenc Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major, which was premiered shortly before. In addition, the concert is a tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the middle movement called Poulenc even as " poetic play with the portrait of Mozart ".

About the Music

1st movement: Allegro ma non troppo

The set begins with a loud tutti impact of the whole orchestra, followed by a virtuoso turn of pianos. On another throbbing chords of the orchestra, is fast scales and Oktavskalen develop. It follows the presentation of the fast main theme through both solo pianos, the second piano takes up accompanying function here. The orchestra takes over and continues the theme. A very simple, reminiscent of Dmitri Shostakovich motif follows, it acts a little like the tune of a children's song. The beginning of the sentence is marked by great emotion and high speeds, resulting in a certain breathless listening experience. A longer quiet phase is heralded by a lyrical theme in the piano. Both solo instruments process this second issue in the series. The motif children's song resurfaces and accelerates the action. Another character change soon follows, as a piano pianos play a mysterious underground and the flute intones a simple, elegiac melody to it. In this mood of the first movement ends.

2nd movement: Larghetto

The Larghetto starts with a simple and Mozart both parody, as well as participating as a model, melody. It was inspired by the middle movement of the 21st piano concerto K. 467 Mozart. The pianos handle the issue after it has been presented extensively, with an increase of dynamics and tempo. After a brief review of the first part of the sentence fades piano.

3rd movement: Finale - Allegro molto

The finale begins with some forte chords in the orchestra, supported by drums. A consisting of double beats fast melody is then presented in the pianos. The developing main theme is of a dance, and sweeping swing. The continuation of the theme is done in an elegant way in the interplay between orchestra and pianos. The dance-like main theme appears like a rondo theme again and again. A voluptuous and dynamically increasing midsection takes the melody on also, but only appears in a piano here. With a quote of the concert beginning the work of his organ concerto ends in the same way later.

Effect

The world premiere of the concert was held in Venice on September 5, 1932. Poulenc and his childhood friend Jacques Février took the solo part. The work was a great success for the composer and is now considered one of his best works. Therefore, it is still staged today. It now ranks alongside the corresponding works of Mozart and Mendelssohn to the standard concertos for two pianos.

• Work of Francis Poulenc
• Piano Concerto