This piece's second movement is often programmatically interpreted as a struggle between Orpheus and the shades of Hades.
In this piece's first movement, the descending fourth figure which concludes the opening phrase is answered by a contrasting B major segment played by only the strings, and its final movement, a vivace rondo, unusually opens in the subdominant, C major. This piece's second movement is often programmatically interpreted as a struggle between Orpheus and the shades of Hades. This work's dolce opening phrase, which is historically notable for being played by the piano alone, begins with a chord in the home key of G major. For 10 points, name this penultimate piano concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven which preceded the one nicknamed the "Emperor".
In this piece's first movement, the descending fourth figure which concludes the opening phrase is answered by a contrasting B major segment played by only the strings, and its final movement, a vivace rondo, unusually opens in the subdominant, C major.
{Beethoven's} Piano Concerto {No.} 4 in G Major [accept {Piano Concerto No. 4} or {Fourth Piano Concerto} after "{Beethoven}"]