Piano Concerto No. 2 (Chopin)

The Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op 21 is a piano concert of Chopin and actually represents the first contribution to the genre, since it was before the work known as Piano Concerto No. 1.

Formation

The second piano concerto was written 1829-1830. , The composer was present at the Completion only 19 years old. The common use today opus number 21 has long been the work after publication. So-called Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op 11 was despite the lower opus number three years after this f - minor concerto. So that today called the Piano Concerto No. 2 plant is the oldest. Chopin composed the concert under the influence of his first great love of opera singer Konstancja Gladkowska. After completion, he dedicated the concert, however, his later love Delfina Potocka. The concert is interrupted by deep feelings and a Chopin own poetry and is one of the brilliant virtuosity and requiring concerts of romance.

About the Music

1st movement: Maestoso

In both concerts of Chopin is a great Maestoso at the beginning. The movement in sonata form has a duration of almost 14 minutes. The violins begin the lyrical and melancholy primary theme of the first movement. This rhythmically imaginative theme is one of the most popular inspirations of Polish- French master. The presented in pianissimo main theme quickly gets a very differentes, expressive counter-theme at its side. This second theme again later preferably in the recapitulation. The piano introduces himself with a run of Oktavskalen before it submits the lyrical counter-theme. Quickly, the rate increases to some sites forte, and the pianist is given an opportunity to present his virtuosity. In carrying out both these issues are not only works but also enlarged. Romantic lyricism points alternate with joyous and virtuous thoughts. Iridescent passages, elaborate ornaments and shapely figurations mark the first set. Chopin uses his typical polymelody. Here, several melodic lines are pursued simultaneously, without having to bear the character of polyphony. After a fairly short reprise of the final part follows. Here lacking a distinct cadence. Rather, concert orchestra and piano to orchestral chords marked by two energetic end of the first movement.

2nd movement: Larghetto

The lyrical second movement in A flat major is one of the most poetic phrases of Chopin dar. The musicologist Arnold Schering used for this set the superlative of " fervent Liebesergußes that knows the music literature " .. The sentiments expressed seem as it were to flow from the soul and introduced by a Slavic intonation., the movement is in a sort of free song form. It seems to be the song of the heart, the Chopin so lyrical, poetic and perceptive describes here. Chopin developed in this sentence on the harmony of the piano. unprecedented blow dissonances the part of the normal to Chopin's time harmonic practices. Chopin achieved in this set a completely new, previously unknown sound effect. the large-scale figurations of the piano, decorated with triplets and trills, fast Zweiunddreißigstelläufen and dynamic changes swirl around the pleas raised by the orchestra song theme. interrupted is this " Flow of Love " by a dark, harmonically interesting throw the orchestra, the replies the piano in the manner of an echo. The following is a brief search for the old Harmony, which is resumed. After another lecture of the poetic theme fades away the unique and poignant sentence. This Larghetto represents the artistic highlight of the concert

3rd movement: Allegro vivace

The finale of the concert is a rondo in the home key of F minor about a Polish dance. This Krakowiak appears in three-four time, and is also of lyrical character. The pace of the dance is quite fast and is increased in different parts of the fiery Krakowiaks ( Mazur and oberek ). The Rondo becomes the ritornello as a recurring dance theme. This lyrical solo passages and mazurkas parts are juxtaposed alternately. An expressive coda ends the movement in three -eight time. Chopin deals with the form of the rondo very free in this set, and merge them with the shape of the Allegro. The result is a fiery, dreamy, imaginative and fun-loving dance. The sentence counts as a romantic realization of the Polish folk dance.

Effect

In March of 1830 a private performance took place in the home of Chopin with a small orchestra held before the official premiere. A press representative of the Polish capital Warsaw was able to attend this internal premiere. The following day was a laudatory article in the newspaper - a work which was never officially listed. However, the press was enthusiastic about this new work: "He is the Paganini of the own piano " and " The young Szope exceeds all pianists " are excerpts from the newspaper reports. The work was premiered on 17 March 1830 in which was huge public interest because of the above anecdote. The work was thrilled with this performance at Warsaw National Theatre received by the audience.

With this Piano Concerto Chopin succeeded to establish completely new harmonic forms. The sound effect was, especially in the second set, extended. Chopin created here a typical romantic piano concert, which can be attributed to the type of the virtuoso concerto. The soloist has to cope with a very virtuosic and impromptu solo part. The solo instrument is no longer strictly tied to the issues of development, but also brings a completely separate aspects. The second piano concerto by Chopin enjoys today remains a great popularity and is part of the repertoire of every major pianist. It is played in every concert hall in the world.

Audio files

(both played by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra )

1 set ( file? )

2nd set ( file? )

3rd set ( file? )