Piano Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (2009) by Poul Ruders.Commissioned by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Jerome Lowenthal. Solo Piano part: WH31129CProgramme Note In this day and age when faced with the challenge of writing a 'Piano Concerto' e.g. a piece for symphony orchestra and an all-dominating and virtuosic solo Piano part one has two options: either: DO or do NOT go for it wholesale exploiting and enjoying the conrnucopia of sonorous treasures offered by the combination of the orchestra and the 'Grand Piano'. I have opted to go for it. When writing forone of our great young international Piano stars it would be absurd and a waste to do anything less and only 'nibble at the goodies'.However the piece is not a big clunky 'machine'. Rather it is a transparently orchestrated neo-classic (for the lack of a better work) composition in three movements lastign approximately 25 minutes.The piece begins with a moderately paced opening in which the Piano gradually gathers momentum and strength beginning with the most gentle of motifs. In this movement the soloist and orchestra fo not always agree and the vigilant listener will observe the disparity between the two. Following a swift up-beat coda the movement stops almost in mid-breath on one of the gentle Piano chords taken from the very opening.The extreme simplicity of the second movement 'Semplice' (the opening Piano solo bears the marking: 'slightly hesitant - like a child practicing') is after having been joined by the Vibraphone Harp and solo Violin suddenly violated with unprecedented brutality by the rest of the orchestra which virtually 'lies in wait - panting to pounce'. But eventually calm and order is restored.The finale is a crazy rondo of sorts. The marking 'Avanti Risoluto' (Forward with Resolve) is a bit of an understatement. It is a full throttle no hold barred ride -

Beethoven's fifth and final piano concerto is at the same time the culmination of his efforts in this genre and a reflection of all his artistic skill and expertise. The surviving manuscripts provide a clear insight into his working methods and his intentions regarding the work's performance.The editor, Jonathan Del Mar, has closely scrutinised the autograph solo piano part and reproduced Beethoven's sophisticated performance instructions for the first time in a modern edition. Among other things, this has special repercussions for the left-hand figured bass line of the piano part during the tutti passages.As with the Piano Concertos Nos. 1 to 4, the piano reduction appears with a separate solo part containing all the information needed by the soloist to conduct the ensemble from the piano.- Many wholly new corrections in the solo and orchestral parts- Piano reduction with a separate solo part, as was customary in Beethoven's day- With Beethoven's continuo figures for the first time in a modern edition / Score

E-flat major-Many wholly new corrections in the solo and orchestral parts.Piano reduction with a separate solo part as was customary in Beethoven’s day.With Beethoven’s continuo figures for the first time in a modern edition.Beethoven’s fifth and final Piano Concerto is at the same time the culmination of his efforts in this genre and a reflection of all his artistic skill and expertise. The surviving manuscripts provide a clear insight into his working methods and his intentions regarding the work’s performance.The editor Jonathan Del Mar has closely scrutinised the autograph solo piano part and reproduced Beethoven’ssophisticated performance instructions for the first time in a modern edition. Among other things this has special repercussions for the left-hand figured bass line of the piano part during the tutti passages.As with the Piano Concertos Nos. 1 to 4 the Piano reduction appears with a separate solo part containing all the information needed by the soloist to conduct the ensemble from the Piano.

E-flat major-Many wholly new corrections in the solo and orchestral parts.Piano reduction with a separate solo part as was customary in Beethoven’s day.With Beethoven’s continuo figures for the first time in a modern edition.Beethoven’s fifth and final Piano Concerto is at the same time the culmination of his efforts in this genre and a reflection of all his artistic skill and expertise. The surviving manuscripts provide a clear insight into his working methods and his intentions regarding the work’s performance.The editor Jonathan Del Mar has closely scrutinised the autograph solo piano part and reproduced Beethoven’ssophisticated performance instructions for the first time in a modern edition. Among other things this has special repercussions for the left-hand figured bass line of the piano part during the tutti passages.As with the Piano Concertos Nos. 1 to 4 the Piano reduction appears with a separate solo part containing all the information needed by the soloist to conduct the ensemble from the Piano.