Full of energy is Martinůs Concerto for two pianos and orchestra, about whose explosive effect the Martinů biographer James Rybka wrote: «He uses the pianos like fighter planes fighting each other to create a whirlwind of excitement in the finale.»

Ravel remarked about his most successful work to his colleague Arthur Honegger: «I have only made one masterpiece, that is the Boléro; unfortunately it contains no music.» He is not entirely wrong: one single rhythmic model repeated 169 times in 15 minutes. The ecstatic force that results is unique.