It is well known that Prokofiev was active not only as a composer but also as a pianist. This Piano Concerto, like the First, was composed between late 1912 and 1913, while he was enrolled in the piano department of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and was premiered by the composer himself. The work conveys the young Prokofiev's ambition as a pianist and his talent as a composer. Diaghilev (1872-1929), who at the time was the impresario of the Ballets Russes and was discovering artistic talents of all kinds, heard a performance of this work in London and commissioned Prokofiev to compose a ballet. Unfortunately, the 1913 version was lost during Prokofiev's lifetime, and what we hear today is the version that Prokofiev himself reconstructed and revised in 1923.

The work is structured in four movements (approximately 33 minutes in duration): the first movement, where one can enjoy the piano's soloistic virtuosity; the second movement, characterized by dizzying sonic motion; the third movement, notable for its dramatic expression; and the fourth movement, with its intriguing contrast between stillness and motion. Throughout the work, the piano part leads the music, and the numerous opportunities for the soloist to shine are reminiscent of Prokofiev's early piano works. On the other hand, the dramatic musical development achieved by effectively utilizing the expressive qualities of each orchestral instrument foreshadows the dramatic works he would later create.

This Piano Concerto is also well-known for the anecdote that its premiere caused a stir due to its novelty. However, from the perspective of contemporary audiences, who are aware of Prokofiev's mature achievements and other composers who caused sensations in his time, this work rather gives the impression of inheriting the style of 19th-century master composers' piano concertos, such as Liszt and Schumann. Overall, it can be said that Piano Concerto No. 2 served as a stepping stone for Prokofiev to assimilate and absorb the music of his predecessors, from which he would develop his unique compositional methods.