The overture to Don Giovanni provides more than a hint of the drama to follow. The supremely ominous opening music recurs when the statue of the Commendatore comes magically to life to demand that Don Giovanni repent his misspent life, before the music hurries off with the exuberance, vitality and virility of the Don, interrupted by suggestions of the conflict that he inevitably brings upon himself.
Piano Concerto No.21 was written at the same time as Don Giovanni and shares a very operatic character with constantly unfolding drama through extreme emotional contrasts. The slow...
