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Write An Essay On The Piano Concerto

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In Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, the fundamental concerto principle of contrast is expressed through his experimentation of timbre, range, and color coupled with his use of rhythm, polytonality, and orchestration. In the first movement, Allegramente, the interaction, balance, and relationship between the piano and orchestra change from section to section and also within sections to give structure for the whole work. Ravel’s orchestration, especially in the use of percussion and harp, are important factors in adding to the character, timbre, and structure. His use of bitonality, polytonality, and overall tonal ambiguity are also important in how he allowed the solo to stand up against the orchestra and create tension and climax.
There’s an immediate …show more content…

The section begins with the harp as the solo playing a quasi-cadenza using the same thematic material as before. The strings and piano then respectively play unison glissandos and arpeggios supporting the flute, clarinet, and trumpet playing the bluesy melodic line motive while flutter tonguing. A brief transitional section begins at rehearsal 25 with the horn stating the previous thematic material before leading up to the second piano cadenza at rehearsal …show more content…

This is apparent from the beginning of the movement where whenever the piano was featured alone, it expressed lyricism and color. It is also unusual in that the left hand carries the melodic content while the right hand trills, which may be a response to the previous section with the woodwinds flutter tonguing. Three measures before rehearsal 28 is marked accelerando, which is where I as the soloist would plan ahead with the conductor on how I would build the

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