#76 The Smell of Hunt

Listen carefully: The pianist has no time to breathe in this scherzo. There's always note after note, no respite, just gasping. Don't stop! They'll catch you, kill you, eat you.

The orchestra sounds at ease. The players know the pianist cannot run forever. They dance around him, slowing down a bit just because they know they can go faster if they want. And then, they're getting tired of the hide and seek. It is time: They kill him with one chord.

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
Work: Piano Concerto No 2, II. Scherzo: Vivace
Recording: John Browning, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf