Glazunov trod new ground with his first Piano Concerto, composed in 1911 and dedicated to the Polish piano virtuoso Leopold Godovsky. The first movement, with much expressive chromaticism and heroic pathos is followed by eight contrasting variations, which form the slow movement, thus making a reference to the Piano Concerto in F sharp minor Op.20 by Scriabin. The Finale, in F major, consists of the final ninth variation, picks up themes from the first movement, and combines pianistic bravura with orchestral refinement. This is characteristic of the imaginative orchestrator Glazunov.

Similarly, the Piano Concerto no.2, composed in the year of the October Revolution (1917), also has a rather unusual formal concept. It consists of only one movement, but clearly demonstrates a structure of four parts, largely resembling a work with several movements in different keys. Beginning with a reference to Brahms’ Piano Concerto No.2, its romantic sound in no way reminds the listener of Russian avant-garde music of Scriabin and Schoenberg.

The Carnaval Overture, written already in 1893 and published by the composer in his own four-hands transcription, is dominated by vital rhythm and brilliant tone colours.