Mozart's sister, Nannerl, made a copy of the piano part for K 451 that reveals the pianist's dual function as both soloist and continuo player, a standard practice in Salzburg.
Compositional Technique
The wind instruments play a prominent and often leading role in these concertos, a departure from the typical ancillary role in emerging classical symphonic tradition.
Performer Biography
Ronald Brautigam, the fortepiano soloist, was awarded the Nederlandse Muziekprijs in 1984, the highest Dutch musical award.
Composition History
Mozart referred to his Piano Concertos K 450 and K 451 as "concertos which are bound to make the player sweat," indicating their demanding nature.
Composition History
Mozart initially preferred to circulate his new compositions, including these concertos, only within his family to prevent illicit copies from Viennese copyists.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The demanding keyboard writing in these concertos, covering a five-octave range with complex passages, suggests Mozart conceived them for professional players, a tradition later developed by Beethoven.
Instruments
The fortepiano used in this recording was made by Paul McNulty in 2011, modeled after an instrument from c.1805 by Anton Walter, a famous Viennese fortepiano maker.
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W.A. Mozart: Piano Concertos No. 21 in C Major, K. 467; Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-Flat Major, K. 595
