Cello Concerto No. 2 in D (Haydn)
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Joseph Haydn's Concerto No. 2 in D Major for cello and orchestra was composed in 1783. Haydn, as with his first cello concerto, composed the piece for a cellist, this time for Antonín Kraft, a cellist of Prince Nicolaus's Esterhazy Orchestra. Though the piece's authenticity was doubted for some time, most experts believe that the work is indeed authentic after Haydn's signature was discovered on the manuscript in 1951.
The second concerto is more relaxed and noble than Haydn's first cello concerto, which is in C Major. In the first movement of the D Major concerto, the tone is leisurely and soothing. However, the piece soon enters the development phase, where another theme, building upon the opening theme, is discovered. Finally, the recapitulation returns to the main theme.
In the second movement, the key modulates to A Major. However, the piece remains tranquil and more relaxed. In the middle of the second movement the piece yet again shifts, this time to C Major.
The final movement is the shortest one of the concerto. After returning to the main theme, it shifts to the parallel key of D minor, and then finally returns with a triumphant finale.
