Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra

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The Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra (French: Capriccio pour piano et orchestre) was written by Igor Stravinsky in Nice between 1926 and 1929. The score was corrected in 1949.

Stravinsky designed the Capriccio to be a virtuosic vehicle which would allow him to earn a living from playing the piano part. The Capriccio, together with the Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments, belonged to a catalogue of breadwinning pieces which Stravinsky composed to support himself after fleeing the Russian Revolution to live in Western Europe.

The premiere took place on December 6, 1929, conducted by Ernest Ansermet and featuring the composer at the piano. The three movements are played attacca (without interruption) and take just under twenty minutes to perform.