Impromptu for piano op. 2 is an early work of Richard Andersson, dating from December 1869 in Stockholm, when the composer was 18 years old. Both formally and substantively the work clearly demonstrates Richard Andersson's natural talents for composition. From a technical perspective, the piece is intricately structured, with a simple rising and falling figure pervading the entire work. This motif is presented in a two-part dialogue, which is skillfully varied harmonically, rhythmically and melodically (by means of a mirroring of the theme). It is also varied in terms of timbre, through its placing in the different registers of the piano. Whilst the work has a poetic foundation, it also has undercurrents of an emotionally more troubled character, which can be emphasised in the interpretation (con moto e poco agitato).

The piece was dedicated, in retrospect, to Wilhelm Stenhammar, who studied with Richard Andersson, during the years 1887−92.

© Bertil Wikman
Trans. Robin McGinley