The second movement in Mozart's piano concerto no. 17

[Enrique]

I wonder if any of you has something to say about the second movement in Mozart's piano concerto no 17. I have heard praises of many of the movements in these concerti, or of a concerto as a whole but never a word about this second movement. Of course, I have not lived long enough, nor heard enough people for since the time of his death full libraries must have been written about this and the following piano concerti.

[Peter]

It's a while since I listened to it so thanks for mentioning it. I've just listened to the slow movement with Bernstein as conductor and soloist. What can I say except it is a work of exquisite beauty - miraculous and I think all too often we forget this quality and take music like this for granted.

[Sorrano]

It's a while since I listened to it so thanks for mentioning it. I've just listened to the slow movement with Bernstein as conductor and soloist. What can I say except it is a work of exquisite beauty - miraculous and I think all too often we forget this quality and take music like this for granted.

While I was aware that Bernstein played piano I did not know he was recorded doing that. How is he as a pianist?

[Peter]

While I was aware that Bernstein played piano I did not know he was recorded doing that. How is he as a pianist?

He was a very accomplished pianist - I recall hearing him play Ravel's piano concerto in G. Anyway you can judge for yourself - here he is playing that exquisite Mozart slow movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itiY352hgjM

[Enrique]

It's a while since I listened to it so thanks for mentioning it. I've just listened to the slow movement with Bernstein as conductor and soloist. What can I say except it is a work of exquisite beauty - miraculous and I think all too often we forget this quality and take music like this for granted.

I only have it by Ashkenazy/Philharmonia Orchestra (London CS7104), which is a pity (better to know several interpretations than only one). Besides, he plays it and conducts it, a thing I have always distrusted.

In this second movement the woodwinds have a dominant role. Compare with the archiheard slow movement in no. 21 where strings are given quite a different role. Is there any other slow movement in his series of piano concerti where the woodwinds are so important?

[Sorrano]

He was a very accomplished pianist - I recall hearing him play Ravel's piano concerto in G. Anyway you can judge for yourself - here he is playing that exquisite Mozart slow movement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itiY352hgjM

Thanks for posting that. (Listening to it now.)

[Sorrano]

That was well done, Peter. It was interesting to watch him play, his hand position, and even his feet positions on the pedals when that view was available. The music felt very natural and worked very well for me.

[Peter]

Besides, he plays it and conducts it, a thing I have always distrusted.

Why? Mozart would have done the same!

In this second movement the woodwinds have a dominant role. Compare with the archiheard slow movement in no. 21 where strings are given quite a different role. Is there any other slow movement in his series of piano concerti where the woodwinds are so important?

They play an important role in the A major K.488, but perhaps the greatest use of woodwind (including clarinets) is to be found in K.482.

[Enrique]

Why? Mozart would have done the same!

Yes. Nothing to blame in trying to emulate Mozart. Much to the contrary. And, after all, I thing a conductor's job is done at rehearsal time, mainly.

K.488's 2nd movement is another precious stone in series of his concerti, if we mortals are allowed to judge the genius. I'll listen to K.482 to see if I know it. And of course because you singled it out to me and want to see the thing about the woodwinds.

What is the first piano concerto in which Mozart used clarinets? It has to predate the concerto in D minor. I think to remember he once used clarinets replacing the oboes, but whether it was a piano concerto or a symphony I don't know. Which takes me to remember the oboes are entirely absent from the adagio (the section with the scale in horn 4) in the 3rd movement of the Ninth.