Ernst von Dohnányi ： Piano Concerto No.2 in h-moll Op.42

Dohnányi’s Piano Concerto No. 2 is a weighty, richly textured work in which the solo piano and orchestra engage in close musical dialogue. Comprising four movements, it is shaped by contrasts between forceful thematic development, lyrical passages, and lively rhythmic energy. The piano writing demands not only brilliant virtuosity across a wide range, but also the ability to bring out melodic lines within complex textures. Key points in performance include maintaining a balanced sonority with the orchestra, clarifying the movement of the individual voices, and distinguishing between driving intensity and singing expressiveness from one passage to the next.