The story of this "lost" concerto is indeed strange. Written at the same time of the other two in 1839, it was mistakenly catalogued as surplus material from the First Concerto, and only recently came to be re-discovered. Apparently Liszt intended to revise it - as he extensively revised the other two concertos which only got to see the light about 15 years after being initially composed. It sounds definitely more modest than the others, and it is lightly shorter as well, a single movement that encompasses the three usual movements of a concerto. It opens with an introduction, Andantino, where the timpani beats an ostinato rhythm over a fourth, a cell from which the first theme will grow, while the woodwind create a mysterious atmosphere in minor mode which is interrupted by a declamatory piano intervention. The timpani recommences its rhythm. The second piano interruption is more forceful. Without transition, the piano introduces the second main theme in an ornamented solo, Recitativo del pianoforte, in major mode than soon changes to minor. The orchestra now introduces a secondary theme. The piano takes over and then changes to the first main theme. After some stormy development, a new martial theme is introduced. The piano brings back the first theme. A brief solo passage leads to the Andante where the piano has a cadenza. The orchestra then takes the theme while the piano plays figurations. The secondary theme returns on the orchestra and soon develops into a tarantelle rhythm which grows to a climax and suddenly stops. The piano launches to an Allegro vivace. The orchestra brings back the theme of the Andante, and then the piano joins in. The elaborate it with the mood changing from playful to stormy. The tempo accelerates for the final brilliant coda.

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