Piano Concerto No. 2 (Tchaikovsky)

The Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 44, by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, is a concerto for piano and orchestra. Composed in 1879–1880, it was dedicated to Nikolai Rubinstein, though Rubinstein had famously criticized Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto.

The work is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets in A, two bassoons, four horns in F, two trumpets in D, three trombones, timpani, strings, and solo piano.

The concerto is structured in three movements:

• I. Allegro brillante e molto vivace: A substantial and energetic opening movement characterized by its virtuosic piano writing and broad orchestral textures. The movement explores various themes and includes a prominent cadenza for the piano.

• II. Andante non troppo: This movement is notable for its unusual scoring, featuring extended solo passages for violin and cello alongside the piano. It creates a more intimate and lyrical atmosphere in contrast to the first movement's grandiosity. This movement has been a subject of some controversy, as Alexander Siloti heavily edited it in his revision of the concerto.

• III. Allegro con spirito: The final movement is a lively and spirited conclusion, again showcasing the piano's virtuosity. It is characterized by its rhythmic drive and brilliant orchestration, bringing the concerto to a triumphant close.

The Piano Concerto No. 2 is less frequently performed than Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto, but it remains a significant work in the composer's output and in the repertoire for piano and orchestra. Its relative neglect is sometimes attributed to its length and the challenges it presents to both the soloist and the orchestra, as well as Siloti's influential, though controversial, revised edition which altered Tchaikovsky's original intentions.