The first movement of this 3-piano concerto by Mozart combines a march-like opening, a lyrical second subject, and elegantly flowing episodes of runs and passages. After a brief but dramatic development section, the lighter mood returns before the movement ends with a quasi-improvised (yet fully written-out) cadenza for the three soloists.
The second movement constitutes one of the highlights of Mozart’s ‘Salzburg period’: a deep and comprehensive adagio containing long, vocal-like lines and magical intimate moments. The strings traditionally perform the movement con sordini (with mutes), injecting the music with a special, spiritual atmosphere.
The third movement is an elegant rondo, employing the dance characteristics of the then popular minuet. A noble theme opens the movement, and in between its recurrences Mozart manages to display a full palette of well-differentiated episodes, each bearing its own clear characteristic profile: vivacious, dramatic, pastoral, pretentious and so on. Before each repeat of the rondo theme, Mozart adds several mini-cadenzas or ‘lead-ins’, allowing one soloist at a time to shine with a more individualistic expression.
Here is Martha Argerich and two friends who will perform this music for you:
