Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44 - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Tchaikovsky completed his second piano concerto in 1880, with the premiere performance being given in November of 1881 in New York City. Tchaikovsky dedicated the work to fellow musician Nikolai Rubenstein, with Rubenstein insisting he be the soloist at the premiere performance.

Rubenstein had given harsh criticism of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, but had since softened his opinion and was eager to support Tchaikovsky with the second concerto. Unfortunately, Rubenstein would pass away in March of 1881 from Tuberculosis and would never perform this concerto.

The work is comprised of three movements: I. Allegro brillante e molto vivace II. Andante non troppo III. Allegro con fuoco