Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Ravel)

Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major (Concerto pour la main gauche en ré majeur) was composed by Maurice Ravel between 1929 and 1930. It was commissioned for the Austrian pianist, Paul Wittgenstein (brother of the philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein), who lost his right arm during World War I. Before writing the concerto, Ravel enthusiastically studied the left-hand études of Camille Saint-Saëns.

Related Topics:
Piano Concerto - D major - Maurice Ravel - 1929 - 1930 - Austria - Paul Wittgenstein - Ludwig Wittgenstein - World War I - études - Camille Saint-Saëns

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• Lento
• Allegro
• Tempo I

It consists of three movements without pause, starting with a dark brooding section in the low notes. Although at first Wittgenstein did not take to its jazz-influenced rhythms and harmonies, he grew to like the piece. Ravel's other (longer) Piano Concerto in G Major is more widely known and played.

Related Topics:
Movements - Jazz - Piano Concerto in G Major

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There are several other piano concertos for the left hand.

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