Nikolai Kapustin ： Piano Concerto No.5 Op.72

Kapustin’s Piano Concerto No. 5 combines the language of jazz with the structural qualities of a classical concerto, creating a vivid sense of momentum. The solo piano and orchestra engage in dialogue through sharply defined rhythms and colorful harmonies, with virtuosic solo passages alternating and overlapping with the orchestra’s rich sonority. A key attraction is the contrast between driving sections and more expressive episodes. In performance, it is important to maintain precise control of the complex rhythms while shaping flexible, non-mechanical accents and singing phrases. In fast passages, an even clarity of articulation is essential; in ensemble sections, awareness of the exchanges with the orchestra brings out the work’s brilliance and tension.