Probably the "queen" of Beethoven's piano concertos (next to Piano Concerto No 5), characterised as "free and lyrical". A piano concerto in the classical music genre is composed for a piano player, and is typically accompanied by an orchestra or other large ensemble. It is said that when Beethoven composed this work, struggled to find a pianist to perform it. He did not succeed for 2 years during which the piece was hidden in the shelves. The eventual pianist to perform it was the composer himself. In December 1808 he premiered this performance in one of the most famous concerts in the music history: during 4.5 hours he conducted for the first time in public his most famous symphony 5 (the one with the well known 4-note beginning"duh-duh-duh duhhhh"), his symphony 6 and performed this concerto. Imagine Beethoven's musical genius and incredible energy to achieve this!
This piece is famous for its playful, imaginative and inspiring dialogue between the piano and the orchestra which also sets a joyful mood. It is believed that this dialogue resembles the dialogue of Orpheus (soloist) and the Furies (orchestra) at the gates of the underworld. Orpheus descends into the land of the dead to find and rescue his wife, Eurydice, but the gatekeepers (furies and ghosts), deny to him entry. His laments, singing and playing the lyre finally tame and charm the furies who allow him access to the underworld to find his great love. A mythical music to represent one of the most exciting myths. "Orpheus and the Furies"could therefore be a suggested title for this composition.