Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
Allegro
Romanze
Rondo: Allegro assai
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
Concertos in minor keys were unusual in the late eighteenth century, and the two by Mozart -- this one and the piano concerto in C minor, K. 491 -- are both known for their dramatic and romantic character. The orchestra for the present concerto includes trumpets and timpani in keeping with the emotional depth and seriousness of the key of D minor, a key which we associate with Mozart's Requiem and the damnation scene in Don Giovanni.
The composer himself premiered the concerto on February 25, 1785 at one of his subscription concerts in Vienna. His father, who was visiting the city at the time, reported that his son had completed the work so close to the performance that he had had no time even to play through the last movement, since he needed to supervise the copyist. Yet, despite the orchestra's having to sightread, Leopold reported that the musicians played beautifully and that the concert was a great success both musically and financially.
Since this concerto is closer than most of Mozart's works to the character of Beethoven's music, it is not surprising that it remained popular during the nineteenth century. Four years after Mozart's death, Beethoven himself played this concerto between the acts of Mozart's opera La clemenza di Tito in a benefit concert arranged by the composer's widow. In all likelihood, he would have improvised his cadenza on that occasion, but fortunately for us, he later wrote it down, so that it is often played in performances of this concerto.
Boston Baroque Performances
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
February 27 & March 1, 2003
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
John Gibbons, piano