🇺🇦Nikolai Kapustin ： Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion Op.104

Kapustin’s Concerto for Two Pianos and Percussion combines the language of jazz and a powerful rhythmic drive with the writing of a classical concerto. The two pianos engage in brilliant exchanges as solo instruments, at times joining together to create a rich, full sonority. The percussion is more than a mere accompaniment, providing momentum and color while vividly transforming the flow of the music. Contrasts in character from one passage to another, along with the handoffs between ensemble playing and solo passages, are among the work’s highlights. In performance, the intricate rhythms should be coordinated precisely without becoming rigid, while the players share a clear sense of accent and energy. Careful attention should also be given to the balance between the two pianos, communication with the percussion, and clarity in the rapid passages.