As I’m reaching the end of this project, I’m starting to struggle with what to listen to next. I know that I like piano concertos, so I’ll do that tonight and tomorrow probably… but then what? Is there anything obvious I’m missing (besides the operas)?
In any case, I’m looking forward to this.
The Recording
I’m listening to the complete piano concertos recording with Alfred Brendel and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields led by Sir Neville Marriner.
Piano Concerto 20 in D minor, K. 466
1. Allegro
- Dark mood from beginning. Stormy.
- Sighing motive sounds plaintive.
- Piano begins lightly, but then enters a long section of fast notes and building tension.
- Interesting music from the woodwinds. The violin concertos were a little lacking in this.
- Pretty virtuosic throughout.
- Piano is so dominant through long stretches of this. The violin soloist never got that in the same way in the concertos. Yes, this is a chordal instrument, but still. There is a greater dichotomy between soloist and orchestra.
- This is rougher piano music than I’m personally used to hearing from Mozart.
- Very flashy leading up to the cadenza, which allows the cadenza to be even flashier and not seem out of the musical context.
2. Romanze
- Back and forth between soloist and orchestra.
- Attractive and swelling melody.
- Steady eighth note pulse keeps this grounded.
- Ayy, and then the fireworks and switch to minor.
- This is really an aural experience. Enveloping. Sustained orchestra tones, piano with a constant stream of arpeggios in varying rhythms.
- And then it all comes back to that simple opening melody. Whew.
- The recap and coda have a few surprises too.
3. Rondo – allegro assai
- Fiery.
- This driving stuff from the strings is thrilling.
- Sections of unison playing.
- Some playful moments mixed in with the intensity.
- Some imitative entrances from the woodwinds with the soloist.
- Goes on for awhile, and it’s great.
- Long coda for Mozart.
Takeaways
Wow! What an incredibly intense and exciting piece of music. All the way through, the piece just rockets forward. Although it requires a lot of virtuosity from the soloist, the piece itself is very interesting musically. There are plenty of interesting and creative choices that Mozart makes, and I enjoyed hearing the little surprises and playful turns that kept arising. It makes me appreciate how detail-oriented he must have been. So much good stuff happening here.
In any case, until next time.
