V.A. Mozart Piano Concerts: Meaning, Video, Content

V.A. Mozart Concerts for piano and orchestra

Wolfang Amadeus Mozart is not only the greatest composer of the 18th century, but also a talented pianist who has toured Europe with his sister since early childhood. As a child, he already composed compositions for his own performance. Among them, a significant part was occupied by piano concerts with an orchestra. Throughout his life, the composer did not cool down to the genre of the concert and continued to compose compositions that are distinguished by emotionality, beauty and sensuality. On this page you can learn interesting facts about the works of Mozart, listen to music, as well as read about the famous concerts of the author.

The value of piano concerts in the works of Mozart

Translated from Italian, the concert is translated as a contest. For a long time the solo instrument as if competed with the orchestra in the virtuosity of performance. It was in the works of Wolfang Amadeus that the piano and orchestra part became equal. This means that the piano, which until this time was considered an instrument for accompaniment, could equally well have performed solos.

Mozart's piano concertos for pianists are primarily associated with the high school of melodious piano performance and extraordinary improvisation, which is characterized by the vividness of the appearing images.

Concern of the composer is alien to mannerism and pretentiousness, features so characteristic of the music of fashionable writers of the time. Compositions filled with naturalness and sincerity can touch to the depths of the soul.

Interesting Facts

• A total of 27 piano concerts were published. There is a 28 concert, which was not released, because the composer did not finish the final. Today, the unfinished concert of Mozart is still performed by pianists, the third part of the fifth concert is used as the final.
• In 1776, the composer was ordered a piece for performance on 3 harpsichords. Countess Lodron, who made the order, wanted to get a composition that she could play with her daughters. In the future, the musician made an arrangement on his own composition, so it turned out a concert for two pianos and orchestra.
• The first 4 concerts the genius wrote at the age of 11 years. 5 concert was written only seven years later.

• In the works of the composer you can find one concert for two solo grand pianos with an orchestra and one concert for three solo grand pianos with an orchestra, which are very popular with the performers.
• The ordinal number of works, which we can see in the title of the work of Mozart is called Köhel, in honor of the researcher. The fact is that Wolfang Amadeus never indicated the number of the composition, because of which it was difficult for musicologists to classify compositions by periods. In 1862, a chronological catalog of the works of the Viennese classics was published, in which all the creation dates were restored.
• Cadence to the 20th Mozart concert was written by Ludwig van Beethoven. The author's variants of cadences are not preserved.
• The most fruitful period for composing piano concertos can be considered the time span from 1782 - 1786. At this time, the composer moved to Vienna, where he constantly arranged "academies" - these are author's concerts, where Mozart acted as not only a performer, but also a conductor and composer. Then 15 concerts were composed.

Concerto for piano and orchestra №9 (Es-dur) KV.271

The composer wrote this composition at the age of 20 and dedicated it to the pianist Wife. The form of the work is classical, that is, consists of three parts:

• Part I is a dialogue a passionate dialogue of piano and orchestra. The rapid development of the theme is reminiscent of the movement of the engine, working in an even rhythm.
• Part II is in contrast to the previous one. It shows not only drama, but also sensuality. The theme is a canon of the piano and a group of stringed instruments. In the process of development, a completely new melody is born in the pianist’s party, filled with unusual beauty and grace.
• The third part is the final rondo, in which the minuet theme appears, breaking the previous rhythm.

It is noteworthy that in this concert, Mozart used an incomplete composition of the orchestra - this technique allowed to create a feeling of intimacy, elegance and lightness.

Piano concert number 20 (d-moll) KV.466

It is considered one of the most popular works written by genius. Many compositions of the composer were performed by a musician immediately after writing the score. This composition is no exception. On February 10, 1785, the work on the orchestration was completed, and already on February 11, the composer naturally played music for high society, playing and conducting at the same time.

The tonality of the composition in D minor already reflects its tragic, sorrowful content. The main feature of the thematism can be called the contrast of images, a wide emotional amplitude, while mainly the darkly excited thematism described in the exposition of the first part.

The structure of the work is classical, that is, it consists of 3 parts contrasting each other:

• Part I is written in sonata form. Exposure is characterized by the presence of anxiety, which is manifested in the presence of a syncopated rhythm. The secondary part is seriously different in its image; one can hear pastoral chants in it, the leading part in wooden-wind instruments. In the reprise, dramatization of images of the main party takes place.
• Part II is written in the genre of romance. Gloomy d-moll is replaced by a light B-dur, music gives the listener inner peace. Virtuosity and improvisation are like a fresh wind of change that can carry away from all adversity.
• III part. Despite the gloomy beginning in the final, an optimistic end is affirmed, everything in life is solvable.

The work fully reflects the concept of the author, that light always breaks through even the most impenetrable darkness.

Concert for piano and orchestra №21 (С-dur) KV467

The piano concerto in the key in C major was written by the composer for his own performance. The first performance took place on March 12, 1785. The musician composed it in just three days, and was immediately shown to the public. The listeners were delighted with the spontaneity and cheerfulness of the music.

The concert consists of three parts contrasting with each other:

• I part - Allegro (fast, swift, passionate)
• Part II - Andante (slow, thoughtful)
• Part III - Allegro vivace assai (Fast, lively)

The first part of the composition is as if from the inside filled with light, joy and optimism. The orchestral part seems to express jubilation, the feast of the young soul. But suddenly, in the piano part a cold minor theme passes. For a moment, the holiday stopped, an icy wind blew, which brought a hint of drama into the fun. The cheerful thematism comes back again.

The second part begins with a stunningly beautiful theme in the orchestra string group. The same theme will virtuously vary in the solo piano part, and in the background will be the accompaniment of string pizziacato.

The third part is slightly unstable, initially filled with intonations of the question, to which there is no answer. Music flourishes with new power and beauty, in every musical structure it is as if the idea is affirmed that one must continue to live and enjoy every moment.

Piano Concerto No. 23 (A-dur) KV488

The writing of a musical work is connected with the move to the capital of Austria, Vienna. It was here that the composer found what he had been seeking for so long, namely the recognition of piano music. In this country the instrument was actively improved, and also the printing of musical works for the piano was carried out. So in this period, creativity in just 4 years, the author managed to compose 15 piano concertos with an orchestra, among which 23 received particular popularity.

The premiere took place on March 2, 1786, and was successful for the composer.

The composition consists of three parts:

• Part I represents the contrast between the orchestra and the piano. The decoration is a virtuoso cadence.
• Part II is written in the Sicilian genre.
• Part III is the dialogue between the piano and the orchestra.

The brilliance and playfulness of music is what reflects the essence of not only music, but also the character of Wolfang Amadeus Mozart. The tremendous virtuosity and improvisation of the concert make it at the same time the most difficult, but also the most beautiful in the works of the Viennese classics. Today the concert is actively performed by the world's largest pianists.

The use of music in the cinema

Piano concertos by Wolfang Amadeus Mozart are varied and beautiful. In them you can find a palette of feelings expressed in the musical text. Beauty, light and dreaminess seem to illuminate the path of a person, at least once in his life, who listened to the music of the genius Mozart.