Composed: 1791
Premiered: 1791, Vienna
Duration: 32 minutes

Mozart composed this, his final piano concerto, at the beginning of his final year. His popularity in Vienna had largely evaporated. Thus, the premiere of the new concerto didn’t take place at one of his own subscription concerts, but at a much less prestigious event. His health was failing badly, too.

These unhappy developments show themselves in much of the music he composed during that period. In some pieces, a sense of resignation is clearly detectable. In others, this concerto included, the poignancy makes itself felt more indirectly, but no less profoundly.

The first movement balances brilliance and humour with mellowness. A gentle slow movement follows, angelic in its tenderness and artless simplicity. The finale is an aptly restrained rondo.

Program note by Don Anderson © 2022