Two Mozart Piano Concertos [by Lewis Saul]

1. Mozart Piano Concerto #3 in D Major, K. 40 (1767)
Murray Perahia, piano/cond.
English Chamber Orchestra

 

At the age of 11, Mozart learned to write piano concerti by taking examples of earlier music -- harpsichord sonatas in this case -- and with his father's help, he rewrote them as piano concerti. Today, we might call this plagiarism, but in those days this was a common method of teaching, with no stigma attached to the borrowing of previously composed material. Besides, Mozart made something very new -- even at this very young age -- by inventing little orchestral flourishes and by composing completely original new ideas. My post. 

 

1. Mozart Piano Concerto #20 in D Minor, K. 466 (1785)
Mitsuko Uchida, piano/cond.
Camerata Salzburg

Now 29, and five years away from death, this was the first piano concerto which he composed in a minor key. Music written in D Minor is usually considered serious and contemplative.

First movement

Mozart dives in with a theme that is hardly melodic. Just try to hum it -- the syncopation in the violins makes it a very unusual theme:

 

 

 

The second theme in the relative F Major is slightly more melodic and upbeat:

 

Now, see how Mozart brings the emotion to the final part of the orchestral introduction ... the piano enters and after a few tonic/dominant chords, he returns to that mysterious opening theme ...

 

 

Mozart gives the soloist a workout before returning to the opening theme:

 

Second movement

In an ABACA form, Mozart moves to the submediant key of B-Flat Major, Mozart relaxes into a simple, but deeply-felt, melody -- begun with solo piano, and then joined by the orchestra:

 

A storm arrives (G minor/C section):

 

 

The movement ends with typical Mozartian grace:

 

Third movement

Known as a Mannheim rocket, the opening motif bursts from the soloist, then is reiterated by the orchestra, which further develops the idea.

Here's the whole performance.

Comments

[Emily Fragos]

Always a pleasure to hear the great Mitsuko Uchida perform Mozart or Schubert.

[Leah Martinson]

Great post.

[David Lehman]

In Praise of Irving Berlin
for Lew Saul

"Cheek to Cheek"
still defines chic.

[David Lehman]

At the Musée des Beaux Arts
in Brussels, what could be finer
than piano concerto no. 20 in D. Minor,
K. 466, by Mozart?