Beethoevn Piano Concerto No. 2

The first version of this concerto dates from 1795, but it is finalized three years later. The concert was first performed by Beethoven in the Burgtheater, Vienna on March 25, 1795 and was dedicated to Carl Nicklas Edler von Nickelsberg. It was published in 1801, by which time he had also published the Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, although it had been composed after the B-flat concerto. Apparently the composer thought little of this work as he referred to it as “not one of the best” when he submitted the concerto to a publisher. However the work was quite successful, contributing to Beethoven’s ascent as one of Vienna’s new musical talents.

The piano concerto has three parts:

1. Allegro con brio
2. Adagio
3. Allegro molto

Part I – Allegro con brio – is constructed like a sonata and the themes are first presented by the orchestra. The composition reflects the influence of both Haydn and Mozart. Hence, after the presentation of the first theme by the orchestra, the piano starts with a new thematic idea rendered in an acute register.

The second theme has a lyrical character and is first tuned by the orchestra and later by the instrumental soloists.

Part II – Adagio – starts with the presentation of the theme by the orchestra, rendering the tenderness and softness Beethoven was capable of.

Part III – Allegro molto – is constructed like a rondo-sonata with a theme taken from the Viennese folklore, through its rhythm rendering the onomatopoeic images of spring.

Both the first and second piano concerti bear Mozart’s influence and are considered to be some of Beethoven's more “classical” compositions. The influences will fade away gradually as Beethoven composes his latter piano concertos. Piano concerto No. 5 will the proof of the unique and revolutionary style Beethoven possessed as a composer.

1. Piano Concerto no. 1 in C major op. 15
2. Piano Concerto no. 2 in B flat major op. 19
3. Piano Concerto no. 3 in C minor op. 37
4. Piano Concerto no. 4 in G major op. 58
5. Piano Concerto no. 5 “Emperor” in E flat major op. 73
6. Violin Concerto in D major op. 61
7. Triple Concerto for piano, violin and cello in C major op. 56

• Beethoven Symphonies - Each of the nine Beethoven symphonies analyzed.
• The piano sonatas - Analysis of the sonata form and the most important Beethoven Piano Sonatas.
• Sonatas for Cello and Piano - Discussion about Beethoven's five cello and piano sonatas.
• Sonatas for Violin and Piano - Overview of Beethoven's ten sonatas for violin and piano.
• String Quartets - Brief analysis of Beethoven's seventeen string quartets.
• The Opera "Fidelio" - The background, subject and influences of Beethoven's only opera.
• Trios - General discussion regarding Beethoven's trios for various instruments and ensembles.
• The Overtures - Brief overview of some of the most important Beethoven overtures.

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