Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466,
First Movement, 1. Allegro
Listening Guide
Martha Argerich, piano, with the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, conducted by Alexandre Rabinovitch
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Composition: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K466, First Movement 1. Allegro (Cadenzas by Beethoven)
Date: 1785
Genre: Piano Concerto
Form: Double exposition form (also known as first-movement concerto form)
Performing Forces: piano soloist and Classical orchestra
What we want you to remember about this composition:
- It is in double exposition form.
- At the end of the recapitulation, in the final ritornello, the orchestra drops out and the soloist plays a cadenza that sounds improvised.
Timing
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Form:
Spotlight on the solo piano, with some accompaniment from the orchestra; the key modulates to F major.
Solo Exposition
Focus switches back and forth from solo piano and the orchestra while the music develops the themes, motives, and harmonies from the exposition.
Development
Back in D minor with the first themes from the exposition. Frequent alternation between the soloist and orchestra as they share the themes.
Recapitulation: Ritornello & solo sections
Orchestra begins the final ritornello and then sustains a suspenseful chord.
Recapitulation: Final ritornello
The pianist plays in a improvisatory manner, shifting suddenly between different motives, tempos, and styles. Listen for many ornaments such as trills and rapid and virtuosic scales. After a final, extended series of trills (starting at 12:17), the orchestra returns for…
Recapitulation: Cadenza
the final phrase of the ritornello and movement (which ends in D minor).
Recapitulation: Ritornello concludes