Piano Concerto No. 5 (Prokofiev)

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The last complete piano concerto by Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, (Op. 55) dates from 1932.

1 Background
2 Movements
3 Instrumentation
4 Analysis
5 Premiere
6 Recordings
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Background

Having just written a piano concerto for left-hand (Piano Concerto No. 4), Prokofiev decided to write something virtuosic for piano (both hands) and orchestra. Being in five movements and not conforming to the traditional concerto form, the composer originally called it Music for Piano and Orchestra, but later was persuaded by his good friend Myaskovsky to term it a piano concerto.

[edit] Movements

The concerto lasts 20-25 minutes, with five movements:

Allegro con brio (4-5 min)
Moderato ben accentuato (3-4 min)
Toccata: Allegro con fuoco (1-2 min)
Larghetto (6-7 min)
Vivo (5-6 min)

[edit] Instrumentation

2 Flutes

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets

2 Bassoons

2 Trumpets

2 Horns

2 Trombones

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion (Bass Drum, Snare Drum)

Solo Piano

Strings (1st and 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses)

[edit] Analysis

Movements one to three feature similar themes, the first and third begin similarly, all three captivate largely by their rhythm. The second begins with lightning glissandi, introducing a dancing theme, later contrasted by more spreading motions. It ends in curiosity.
The fourth movement comes as a bit of a surprise after what seems to be a fairly closed work. It is the longest and accordingly the slowest of all and has a climax of heroic grandeur. The Vivo opens poignantly, then goes over into a quieter mood, making use of the unconventional Locrian mode. The concerto ends at a blazing volume.