CCLX. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: Concerto #23 in A Major for Piano, K. 488

CCLX. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

Concerto #23 in A Major for Piano, K. 488 (1786)
1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Allegro assai
Daniil Trifonov, piano
Israel Camerata Orchestra
Avner Biron, cond.
(29:35)

First Movement

Opening theme:

Second theme:

then the entire exposition is repeated by the soloist:

second theme:

and in development, beautiful playful interaction between winds and piano, moving into new harmonic territory:

Nothing too unusual in the recap ...

Second Movement

Possibly the only Mozart movement in F-Sharp Minor, this mournful siciliano begins with the soloist alone:

a return to the tonic major brings a sense of hopefulness:

The imitation between the piano's left hand and the bassoon is quite striking:

Why do so many conductors change the written pizz. with arco in the violins here?

Third Movement

Typical high-spirited rondo. After a cadence on the dominant,

Mozart immediately moves to the dominant's parallel minor = E Minor ...

and finally, this delightful deception |: V⁶ of vi / vi / IV / V :| ... I