The first of a two-part examination of recent editions of Copland's music, how they came to be, and why they matter.
Read more- Title
- Piano Concerto
- For
- piano and orchestra
- Alternate Titles
- Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (Alternate/Synonymous)
- Jazz Concerto (Nickname)
- Year Composed
- 1926
- Scoring
- 2.picc.2.corA.2.Ebcl.bcl.asax(=ssax).2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(5): xyl/Chinese dr/cyms/tam-t/tgl/wdbl/BD/SD-cel-strings
- ARCO Number(s)
- 12
- Category
- Orchestral
- Duration
- 18'
- Movements
- 1. Andante sostenuto
- 2. Molto moderato - Allegro assai
- Premiere
- Boston, January 28th, 1927 (Copland, Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond. Serge Koussevitzky)
- Dedication
- To Alma Morgenthau Wertheim
- Publisher
- Boosey & Hawkes
- Publishing Status
- Published
Buying Options
Boosey & HawkesExternal Links
Program Note
Copland played the piano solo in the premiere of his "Jazz Concerto" with Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Scored for large orchestra, the instrumentation includes alto and soprano saxophones and extra percussion. The Concerto is in two sections reflecting what Copland considered the two basic moods of jazz — "the slow blues and the snappy number." Copland's parents came from Brooklyn to Boston for the premiere, and Copland wrote, "I was delighted when Ma said it was her proudest moment and that my playing in the Concerto made all those music lessons worthwhile!" The critics panned the piece, and it retained a reputation as a shocker until Bernstein revived it in 1946 with Leo Smit at the keyboard.
- Author
- Vivian Perlis
- Year
- 1998