Piano Concerto No.2

Piano Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra (2009) by Poul Ruders.

Commissioned by The Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Jerome Lowenthal.

Solo Piano part: WH31129C

Programme 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 hastwo 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 writingforone 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 transparentlyorchestrated 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 momentumand 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, themovement 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: 'slightlyhesitant - 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 topounce'. 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 -