(Eugen d’Albert)
This piece of music written by Eugen d’Albert premiered in 1884 and was dedicated to Franz Liszt who was a huge influence and teacher of d’Albert. Although described as creatively refined, he is said to have intended the piece “for his own bravura”.
It begins slowly building with the solo being in the style of Liszt and exhibiting “an armoury of virtuoso devices”. It follows with a cadenza and a scherzo building up to a powerful ending. It is written in 5 movements:
- I. Massig
- II. Langstam mit Empfindung
- III. Erstes Zeitmass
- IV. Cadenza
- V. Dasselbe Zeitmass
Moscow Symphony Orchestra recordings
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B minor, Opus 2,
Naxos 8.553728 (CD: Albert: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2/Esther Overture)
Conductor – Dmitri Yablonsky
Piano – Joseph Banowetz
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