Piano Concerto (Chávez)

Early in 1938 Chávez received a grant from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, which provided support for the composition of a Piano Concerto.

The concerto was premiered by Eugene List with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Dimitri Mitropoulos on 1 January 1942.

The European premiere was given by Tom Bromley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Adrian Boult on 6 September of the same year.

The Mexican premiere did not take place until 13 August 1943, with Claudio Arrau and the Orquesta Sinfónica de México conducted by Chávez himself.

[8][9] The finale is characterized by rhythmic drive and intensity, using interrupting rests and short motives to create a sense of instability and tension.