Johann Sebastian Bach was one of the first composers to write concertos for keyboard. Therefore, in the history of music he is considered the originator of the keyboard concerto. He composed seven concertos for keyboard and orchestra. Almost all of them are reworkings of concertos for other solo instruments (mainly violin).

The Concerto for keyboard and orchestra No. 2 in E major, BWV 1053 was written in 1738. In this work the composer used musical episodes from his church cantatas No. 49 and No.169 (written in 1726). The Concerto’s joyful first movement (Allegro) is masterly decorated with elaborate ornaments. The second movement (Siciliano) is a delicate, blissful meditation, followed by a playful, virtuosic third movement (Allegro).

The Concerto No. 2 features Andrius Žlabys, one of the most renowned contemporary Lithuanian pianists endowed with exceptional charisma and artistic insight, and the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra. Žlabys’ interpretations of Bach’s music have not gone unnoticed by music critics worldwide: “The Lithuanian pianist Andrius Žlabys performed with a brilliant sound, remarkable professionalism, impeccable articulation, stunning sound quality, with ranges in his playing that touched shades of pristine delicacy – Bach in his fullness.” (La Nación, Buenos Aires, Argentina)