Piano Concerto in G Major, K 453

Question 1

Mozart composed his concerto for _

Answer 1

Barbara von Ployer, one of his most gifted students

Question 2

Piano Concerto background information

Answer 2

• concerto
• comp 1784
• 3 mvts
• piano and orchestra

Question 3

Piano Concert essay sections

Answer 3

• First Movement
• Orchestral Exposition: First theme
• Bridge (1)
• Second Theme (1)
• Solo Exposition: First Theme
• Bridge (2)
• Piano Theme
• Second Theme (2)
• Codetta
• Development
• Recapitulation
• Cadenza

Question 4

Piano Concerto First Movement

Answer 4

• G major
• Allegro
• C (meter)
• sonata form, with double exposition (first-movement concerto form)

Question 5

Piano Concerto Orchestral Exposition: First Theme

Answer 5

• elegant four-measure phrases
• occasional chromatic appoggiaturas
• violins featured, graceful woodwind figurations

Question 6

Piano Concerto Bridge (1)

Answer 6

-forcefully by orchestra

Question 7

Piano Concerto Second Theme (1)

Answer 7

• gently lilting figures
• syncopation
• violins and woodwinds
• brief minor keys (E minor, A minor) (2, 6)

Question 8

Piano Concerto Solo Exposition: First Theme

Answer 8

• piano play decorated version of first theme in G major

- left hand accompaniment: Alberti-bass pattern

Question 9

Piano Concerto Bridge (2)

Answer 9

• now has piano figurations

- modulate to D major (dominant)

Question 10

Piano Concerto Piano Theme

Answer 10

• D major (dominant)
• angular melody: quiet playfulness
• legato and staccato articulation (contrast)
• woodwinds echo statements

Question 11

Piano Concerto Second Theme (2)

Answer 11

• now in D major

- piano and strings

Question 12

Piano Concerto Codetta

Answer 12

• closing section

- decisive affirmation of D major

Question 13

Piano Concerto Development

Answer 13

• feature piano theme
• modulate various keys: B flat major, C minor, E minor (3bM, 4m, 6)
• piano: rapid scale w/ woodwind accompaniment
• woodwind solos: triplet arpegiated figures accompaniment on piano
• domnant preparation leads to return to home key

Question 14

Piano Concerto Recapitulation

Answer 14

• first theme by strings and woodwinds
• decorated version of firs theme on piano
• piano and second theme in G major

Question 15

Piano Concerto Cadenza

Answer 15

• after orchestral “tutti” leading to cadential 6/4 chord, general pause sets stage for cadenza
• unique to each performance
• improvisatory style
• based on thematic material
• soloist’s technical virtuosity and musical imagination
• after cadenza, full orchestral play final concluding passage, lead to authentic cadence in tonic key

Question 16

Piano Concerto specifications

Answer 16

• in G Major

- K 453