DCCXCI. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: Concerto #21 in C Major for Piano, K. 467

DCCXCI. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

Concerto #21 in C Major for Piano, K. 467 (1785)
1. Allegro maestoso
2. Andante
3. Allegro vivace assai
Fazil Say, piano
Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra
Peter Oundjian, cond.
(32:48)

What a mind that can chicken-scratch this divine music onto parchment! It is just a series of tonic-dominant phrases -- but what exquisite beauty!

Written just a few weeks after the great D Minor concerto, K. 466.

First movement

The little march quickly transforms into a two-bar lyrical violin phrase, interspersed with a wind/brass fanfare:

Two short phrases from the bassoon and flute lead into the entrance of the soloist -- who plays only five bars before halting on a held dominant:

New material:

Transition to G Major:

A few bars, the an abrupt move to G Minor (Symphony #40, anyone?):

Second movement

How not to use Mozart in film. (The concerto is often stupidly subtitled "Elvira Madigan"):

Or worse:

Third movement

A rondo, with a joyous spirit. A short orchestral introduction leads to another held dominant, allowing the pianist to ornament the chord, before jumping back into the theme in thirds.

The movement features a lot of call-and-response, and comes to a close with exciting finality: