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Chapter 23
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 488, first movement
Chapter at a Glance
Listen to This First
Timbre: The Drama of Contrast
Melodic Generosity
Performance: Mozart on Modern Instruments
Form: Double-Exposition Concerto Form
Connect Your Playlist: Cadenza
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and listening to the work, students should be able to:
23.2 Listen for the various possible timbral relationships between the soloist and the orchestra in a
concerto.
23.6 Listen for the cadenza and describe its nature.
23.7 Describe the relationship between sonata form and double–
Piano Concerto K. 488, first movement.
Key Concepts
double-exposition concerto form, the cadenza
Chapter Highlight: The Classical Concerto
Chapter Summary
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Mozart used his piano concertos (in which he played the solos) as a vehicle by which to
make an impression upon both the Imperial Viennese Court of 1781 and the concert–
going public. Not only could he demonstrate his original genius at composition, but also
he could show the musical audience his marvelous skill as a pianist. Over the span of
less than ten years, he wrote seventeen piano concertos, and there is evidence that
Mozart made a good profit on the piano concertos he wrote between 1783 and 1786.
The first movement of Mozart
Listening Guide
The Form and Melody columns of the Listening Guide reinforce each other by
displaying the use of the same melodies in different parts of the work. Bonds numbers
MyMusicLab Resources
Automated Listening Guide: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Concerto in A Major,
K. 488, first movement
A Closer Look
Online Modules: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Concerto
Discussion Topics and Critical Thinking Questions
1.
2. Why did Mozart choose to use his piano concertos to promote himself in Vienna?
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Activities and Exercises
1. Investigate the type of piano Mozart played. How is it different from those used
today? Find an example of this same concerto on the Internet and compare the two.
2. The cadenzas one plays in a concerto from the Classical Era can be entirely
Journaling Prompt
Since the late eighteenth century, concertos have been showcases for solo
instrumentalists, and during the Classical period the composers themselves were often