Concerto in F (Gershwin)
The Piano Concerto in F major is a piano concert by the American pianist and composer George Gershwin.
Formation
The concerto was written in 1925, a year after the Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin enjoyed at this time, thanks to the considerable success of Rhapsody in Blue is already a great reputation. In contrast to the Rhapsody Piano Concerto Gershwin was orchestrated personally. The conductor Walter Damrosch had it right after the release of Rhapsody in Gershwin ordered with the condition to abide by the forms of a classical piano concerto and orchestrate it myself. Gershwin, who had no experience in orchestration and morphology of symphonic works, the knowledge needed to read and gained in this way in a short time the necessary tools to autodikatische way.
The work actually shows a large compositional progress in the work of Gershwin. The concert is in form classic and shows some harmonic and melodic elements of classical symphonic works, but this reconnects sent with elements of jazz music. As in the Rhapsody in Blue will again be held a synthesis of the two elements, as it is unique in the history of music. The extended occupation indicates jazz elements. So Gershwin uses a larger blower apparatus and three players for the percussion. In some passages of the work is reminiscent of Sergei Rachmaninoff.
About the Music
Occupation
Solo piano, two flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trombones, 3 trumpets, timpani, percussion and strings.
1st movement: Allegro
The work begins with some initiated by the timpani sounds of jazz. The clarinets then introduce the first theme of the movement. The piano begins the roll of drums with a solo entry in which it re- articulates the issue and continues. After extensive processing, the second theme is presented in the orchestra. It is a fast, jazzy and erratic issue that leads to a large acceleration of musical history. Shortly thereafter, however, the dramatic main theme paves the way again. In a faster and again to the second theme related part the piano intones a delightful jazz melody of great ease. The highlight of the set is reached when piano and orchestra enhance the main theme and present in sublime grandeur. This is reminiscent of the highlights of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos. The mood is changed by a sudden onrushing pace tightening. The piano plays fifths as an accompaniment of Orchestermeoldie of jazz elements. In this ductal now heard the main theme in the changed character. An increase in the input thoughts, connected with the main theme, leads to the coda in which the lighter second theme leads to the conclusion of the sentence.
2nd movement: Andante
The Andante begins with an indecisive action gesture of woodwinds, to which the solo trumpet, its use in jazz music is quite common, responds with a wistful melody. This introduction of the Andante one-quarter of the entire block and is a blues reminiscent dar. is accompanied by the trumpet warm and quiet chords in the strings. Only after some time the solo piano enters the scene and accelerates the course of a little musical with a repetitive theme. After some time, surprisingly takes a solo violin the subject and passes back to the solo trumpet. A retarding element leads to a solo presentation of the piano, which processes the trumpet melody. The orchestra responds with a full presentation of the topic, which accompanied the piano with some decorating chords. The peak point of the sentence is achieved. According to a recent increase in the rate poignant piano fades away.
3rd movement: Allegro agitato
The third movement takes some motives of the other two again. It begins in the orchestra with a quick, short repeated notes based on topic. He is inspired by the jazz form of ragtime. The solo piano takes up the issue soon and virtuosic. It now emerges the main theme of the first movement briefly again. A grand finale slot cites the climax of the first movement, also appeared the piano theme of the second set briefly. These images draw a shadow over quickly again. The central part of the sentence consists mainly of jazz elements in the interplay of solo piano and orchestra. Subsequently, the final increase of the first sentence is quoted. With a quick throw of the piano answered by the orchestra of the concert ends jubilantly with the F major sixth chord.
Effect
The conductor Walter Damrosch carried out the work with the New York Symphony Orchestra on December 3, 1925 in Carnegie Hall for the world premiere. Gershwin played the solo part on the piano. The sold-out concert became another big success for Gershwin. The criticism in the papers was, in all the euphoria, cautious, trying in vain to classify the work as a jazz music or so-called classical music. Among contemporary fellow composer 's work sparked divided opinions. Igor Stravinsky thought it was a masterpiece, while Sergei Prokofiev did not appreciate it. In the film An American in Paris, large parts of the concert are used as film music.
The Gershwin's Piano Concerto is listed like and often today. His delightful synthesis of jazz and classical elements leads to a large interest in the work.