Johannes Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto was written in 1881, 22 years after the composer’s first example of this genre. “A very small piano concerto with a small and beautiful scherzo”, is how Johannes Brahms ironically described this monumental work in a letter to pianist, composer and friend Clara Schumann. The four-movement opus, which lasts almost an hour, is also known as a “symphony with piano solo”. The work is notable for rarely encountered depth of conception, form and the significance of the orchestral part. The first movement (Allegro non troppo) begins with a deceptively calm melody from the French horn, to which the piano responds. In the development new shades are heard boosted with the piano’s virtuosity. Although Brahms called the second movement (Allegro appasionato) a ‘little scherzo’, it is in fact the most dramatic and stormy movement of the Concerto, with its drama juxtaposed to a gentle and wistful lyricism. The third movement (Andante) is exceptionally tuneful and uplifting. The dreamy orchestral introduction opens with a cello solo, followed by a delicate piano monologue. The finale (Allegretto grazioso) sparkles with unrestrained melodic play. The second theme employs motifs and rhythms of Hungarian folk music.

Andrius Žlabys, one of the most renowned Lithuanian pianists, is joined by the Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martynas Stakionis.