Shostakovich Piano - Concerto 2 Analysis ((full))

Shostakovich employs a here, but the development section is remarkably short. The first theme (bars 1-16) is diatonic, bouncing on the triads of F major. The second theme, introduced by the woodwinds, is more lyrical but still rooted in simple folk-dance rhythms.

It is a high-speed dance, full of rapid-fire scales and percussive accents. shostakovich piano concerto 2 analysis

When the piano enters, it is not with a heavy, Romantic melody, but with brilliant, cascading scales. The piano acts less like a protagonist fighting an orchestra (as in Brahms or Beethoven) and more like a sparkling acrobat interacting with a circus troupe. Shostakovich employs a here, but the development section

Expressive and Contextual Notes