Concerto No 2 in E major, Op 12, lasting for just under half the duration of the ‘First’ Concerto, provides something of a contrast. It dates from 1893, by which time time d’Albert had reached maturity as a composer. This Concerto is also in one movement and cyclic in form, but consists of four basic contrasting sections flowing into each other. D’Albert uses his thematic material quite sparingly, but it is well developed in its various guises throughout the Concerto’s more coherent structure. In the same year d’Albert staged Der Rubin, the first of his twenty or so operas. He met with little success in this venture, but never returned to serious composition for the instrument he so loved.
from notes by Martin Eastick © 1994