Piano Concerto No. 4 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, was composed in 1805–1806, although no autograph copy survives.
As is standard for concertos, it is in three movements:
- Allegro moderato
- Andante con moto
- Rondo (Vivace)
The fourth concerto was premiered by Beethoven himself at a private concert given in March, 1807 at the palace of his patron, Prince Lobkowitz. However, the public premiere was not until 22 December 1808 in Vienna at the Theater an der Wien with Beethoven again as soloist. Beethoven dedicated the concerto to his friend, student, and patron, the Archduke Rudolf.
The first movement opens with the solo piano, playing simple chords in the tonic key before modulating to the dominant key. Surprisingly, the orchestra then enter in B major, thus creating a tertiary chord change which then reveals itself as a motif in the opening movement.
The second movement has been characterized as a dialogue between Orpheus and the Furies, and its quiet E minor ending leads without pause to the C major chords that open the finale.