Exquisitely Beautiful Moments from Mozart Piano Concertos (#27, 23, and 12)

[@Timmmmartin]

To be fair, there are exquisitely beautiful moments in all of Mozart's piano concertos from No.9 onwards. The purity of sound he achieved in his orchestral writing was incredible.

[@alexshih3747]

Mitsuko Uchida's Mozart recordings are really something special. She just "gets" Mozart in a way no other performer does.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Other than the occasional disagreement I have with her ornamentation choices, I agree!

[@tareldarion6791]

Try Schiff & Vegh

[@MattSmith-il4tc]

@@Richard.Atkinson Yeah, that trill you pointed almost sounds more like an inverted turn when started on the bottom note.

[@GSHAPIROY]

I prefer Alfred Brendel; he has a better imagination.

[@fredericchopin4821]

I rather prefer Alfred Brendel for his “touch” on the piano, they sound like little pearl drops.

[@alexhu7939]

I must say this channel is what all KZbin channels should be, in addition of love of music, nothing but positive comments! Excellent!

[@JacobCollins123]

The fact that you connected Nelson to Mozart is why I will sub to this channel forever! Awesome video as always, great analysis displayed in a relatable way.

[@maximilianosotomayorga4977]

u are the usual teacher who cannot avoid silly jokes and being not able to finish one idea without interrupting himself every two minutes... but with perfect editing and charm im thankful for your amazing work

[@christopherkeller7734]

The first movement of K.488 has the most amazing "Pastoral" feeling to it. I can practically feel the sunshine hitting my back and the grass on my bare feet.

[@grahamnancledra7036]

This is in A Major and not the Pastoral key of F Major. Listen to Beethoven's 6th and the Bach Mass in F Major - I would say that this concerto 's first movement is calming, soothing than pastoral but then there is the magic of Mozart in the F# minor slow movement - My what a contrast.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

@@grahamnancledra7036 Music can be "pastoral" without being in F major!

[@thethikboy]

Transcendent innocence, the world of Mozart sighs from an unearthly realm of child-like wonder and beauty.

[@Ludwig1625]

We're damn lucky that his music has survived hundreds of years, Mozart is one of the few miracles we have today

[@hertzair1186]

Unbelievably beautiful…this is what capture me on Mozart back in my 20’s….I had never heard such sublime music ….nor since.

[@garyandrews7422]

Dear Richard - I have read all of the replies. What more is there for me to add? I have been intoxicated with Mozart since my youth. Just this past month I ordered his Piano Concerti (Published by Dover and available at Amazon) to follow along. Your informed, accurate, and thoughtful presentations are wonderful. I watched this one last night. When you said at the beginning "...that nearly reduce me to a puddle of tears....", I knew it was going to be great. And it was, for I have been moved to tears many times by the astonishing beauty of his Piano Concerti. Thank you, kindred soul.

[@garyandrews7422]

Almost forgot - Your exposition on the Linz finale ( about a year ago ) was extraordinary.

[@djbabymode]

It's always a good day when Richard Atkinson uploads, it's even better when it's about haydn or Mozart!

[@martimchaves1658]

"These concertos are a happy medium between what is too easy and too difficult; they are very brilliant, pleasing to the ear, and natural without being vapid. There are passages here and there from which the connoisseurs alone can derive satisfaction; but these passages are written in such a way that the less learned cannot fail to be pleased, though without knowing why." ~ Said by a wise man, 1782.

[@David-il9xw]

But who was this wise soul?

[@mruberduck]

@@David-il9xw off the top of my head, I have a feeling that mozart himself said that in a letter to… his father? I’m digging this information out from the recesses of the depths of my brain mind you, so don’t quote me!!

[@russellbaston1223]

@@mruberduck Yes, it was Mozart.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

He wrote this to his father, specifically about three piano concertos he had just composed: K. 413, 414, and 415.

[@David-il9xw]

@@Richard.Atkinson thank so much for your answer and especially for your marvelous videos. You should be teaching at a university or college; that is, if you didn’t already have a career.

[@einarkristjansson6812]

Mr. Atkinson. Your videos give me pleasure. As I have said before I have no formal musical education, but I listen, buy records and go to concerts. An old school mate of mine, Einar Jóhannesson, a clarinet player, once rated as one of the 10 best in the world, told me once: People like you are the most important people. No audience, no concerts. Greetings from Iceland.

[@cathaypacific2118]

Your effort on this content is an eye opening to all Mozart's fans

[@sebastian9445]

I have always loved Mozart, he never fails when it comes to modulation, and i especially love the piano concerto No.9, my favorite

[@voxveritatis3815]

Mozart makes you LISTEN, not only hear. And it's the human heart the one that always listens. You are absolutely right.

[@Sshooter444]

The sudden appearance of the slow section in the finale of No.22 is my favorite, its pure genius and worthy of Haydn

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I love that moment too - he does the same thing in the finale of No. 9 (K. 271).

[@Sshooter444]

@@Richard.Atkinson no 9 is also highly underplayed

[@loivo5707]

I agree, that moment is so operatic!!

[@anariondanumenor9675]

YES!!!! This is so underrated, yet beautifull moment in all of Mozart's PC

[@arturmoraes5655]

Great as usual

[@gevenliu1931]

Such classic Atkinson triple tangents all the way to op.110!

[@Dodecatone]

As someone who's never been particularly thrilled by Mozart, I heard the 12th concerto played live years ago with a string quartet in place of the orchestra, and instantly fell in love with the work. Thank you for reminding me of that night.

[@fredericchopin4821]

The K.414 concerto never fails to bring me to tears, it’s one of his awfully under appreciated concertos, much like its K.413 predecessor. I’m so glad that you included it in the video, one of the reasons that this channel is an absolute gem.

[@buruboi]

The most exquisitely beautiful part of this video is the charm of the voiceover. So much gravitas!!!

[@capezyo]

Concerto 23...beautifull

[@johnchessant3012]

18:18 For me, the G natural in the measure before those gorgeous suspensions also adds to the exquisite beauty!

[@markkumollari]

Your combination of seriousness and great humor is just fantastic - please keep them with your inimitable style!

[@codystull6058]

I’ve been hearing too many negative things about Mozart lately. I don’t understand it. Thank you for the great video

[@ghuinink]

humor is the glue of life, never hold back on it. Wonderful video, as usual !!!

[@prototypeinheritance515]

always love mozart!

[@johntravena119]

I looked on KZbin this morning and was so happy to see you’ve done a video on Mozart’s piano concertos. Yayyy! I been on a Mozart piano concerto binge for some time now. Last year I had heart surgery and the nurse asked me what I wanted to listen to, I said Mozart piano concerto #17. The surgeon gave me the thumbs up on my selection. They gave me anesthetic but I was largely awake for the whole thing, feeling the snake winding up the artery in my right arm and over to my heart. Luckily she left it on the Mozart piano concerto playlist and I listened to a few of them during the procedure.😉 I recently learned that Glenn Gould had planned to record all of Mozart’s piano concertos but wanted to conduct them himself. His recordings of the 24th are permanently in my downloads. What a shame we’ll never hear the others!

[@alexandrugheorghe5610]

I'm glad you stuck to the music in the latter half of the video. 👍🏻

[@Fritz_Maisenbacher]

Thank you so much for your way of listening to these divine moments. Intelligence, analyse and focus on the most tiny detail, overwhelmed by your intimate emotion. Exactly the way I love in order to enter the mystic (and magical) gates of the upper limit of Absolute Beauty.

[@bdellovibrioo5242]

The Concerto #23 has some real Bachian moments to my ears!

[@Ivan_1791]

I'm so glad you are giving some credit to his 12th piano concerto. A lot of people don't know it and I think it was his first major composition in that genre. I remember I fell in love with it at my first time listening to it. Truly magnificent. My favourite section is the development of the first movement. :)

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I think every concerto from #9 to #27 is a masterpiece.

[@Ivan_1791]

@@Richard.Atkinson What would your opinion be on his symphonies? What was his first true masterpiece in that genre from your point of view? Maybe I'm saying something dumb here because I don't know all his symphonies but for me the 25th or the 29th would be the ones I would pick. I really enjoy his 29th. symphony.

[@pietervoogt]

@@Ivan_1791 I would also say the 25th is his first great symphony

[@tareldarion6791]

@@Richard.Atkinson even #11? :>

[@FrostDirt]

@@Richard.Atkinson it's definitely agreed upon that 20 and above are all masterpieces, some people disagree on the earlier ones though.

[@solracpilino1967]

Thank you once more time for share this beauty with us… Viva Mozart, Haydn, y todos los grandes!!

[@ekalionosvar6897]

Eso, viva el pamplineo!(!)!/!!!!

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Apologies for the brief editing error from 29:18-29:36. I don't know of any way to fix this without deleting the video and re-uploading, so I'm just leaving it as is (unless somebody knows a way to fix it).

[@rufescens]

A very rare occurrence in your videos! :)

[@trevjr]

Amazing how you do this. I don't listen to a lot of Mozart but you have found the examples that I love also. After a lifetime of studying, listening and playing in orchestras I have my favorite spots and you seem to be reading my mind. I have a new respect for Haydn because of you. It is uncanny how we have the same favorites and feel the same way about them. I still remember years ago the first time I rehearsed the A major concerto, I had never heard it but I felt like I was transported into another world. The sheer beauty of Mozart almost brings tears to my eyes at times. I would only suggest that you do your thing to the Concerto for Flute and Harp, I think it is the most beautiful thing he ever wrote. Thanks so much.

[@NicholasWhite]

Your videos are full of knowledge, insight, and humor. Fuck the people who are trying to control you. There are all kinds of ways to enjoy and discuss and admire this music. They can go elsewhere if they want to perpetuate the "ideal" world of classical music. Keep up the excellent, FREE content that people have the audacity to complain about.

[@tomduke558]

wow... what a autonomy into the musical fabrics of those epic pieces.. 2nd movements of 27, and 23 are also my favourite...

[@rsbolin]

Wonderful. Simply wonderful. Mozart's music has meant so much to me starting with his Four Horn Concerto's that I first learned to play as an eight grader studying Horn privately. I have just found your page and will be listening regularly as you decipher and provide insight to the wonderful world of music. Blessings. Ron

[@stevenak115]

i think that one of the most beautiful moments in all of Mozart's works comes in his 25th concerto c theme on the rondo 3rd mvt. it's just so powerful considering whats before it and how it just blasts you right into the tranquil theme after such a loud orchestra moments. and it's simplicity makes it even better. but you chose well too

[@airpanache]

What a joy to see that the piano concerto No. 12 is included.It’s such a “little” gem only compared to his later “great” piano concertos. The second movement is one of the most touching pieces even by Mozart’s standard. Thank you for sharing the insight of Haydn’s tribute to Mozart.❤

[@reecerivalland1528]

He claims to stop making fart jokes and cartoon references only to talk about 8 dudes castrating a pig. I love this man

[@MarcusB-qr1hk]

I always say some music really can bring your emotions out. I however think that the romance movement from Mozart’s piano concert no 20 is absolutely beautiful.

[@matthiasm4299]

Yay, this is gonna be great!

[@davidmccourt9949]

Another brilliant analysis Richard. I’d probably love to listen to you all day.

[@adamquinn8353]

I had the amazing experience of attending a performance of the 23rd and 24th concertos by Mitsuko Uchida a couple months ago

[@rufescens]

I caught the same in my town, just a couple of weeks ago! It was amazing!

[@amse9297]

Nothing compares to Mozart.

[@MasonIshida]

There is much evidence to suggest Mozart would appreciate the fart jokes. Great video, and analysis!

[@sg_dan]

I mean, the guy wrote a canon telling someone to eat ass. I'm pretty sure he'd have a good laugh at a fart joke.

[@threethrushes]

I never thought I'd live to see the day where reasonably technical analyses of Mozart piano concertos are interspersed with Simpsons' references. You truly are a god amongst men!

[@michelle58178]

wonderful dissection. I enjoyed tremendously

[@leonardocilento786]

Woah that's some quality content here

[@DukeIrritable]

Another inspiring and insightful video - thank you Richard.

[@leog177]

17:50 Mozart's suspensions are beguiling. Bars 109 onwards of the Larghetto from the Quintet for Piano and Winds, K452, I could listen to these exquisite suspensions again and again and again...

[@estel5335]

Should have thrown in the stunning Concerto No. 22 (one of Mozart’s greatest and comparatively neglected to boot) for good measure! Thanks!

[@jorgeguimaraes8820]

the theme at 12:22 also appears beautifully in the great mass' laudamos te

[@davidschestenger3366]

Mr Atkinson I freely can say that music is my favorite country, before COVID I use to travel and my travel was around concerts concerts hall and music, nothing wrong with couple of Michelin restaurant, I mention this, because you and your exquisite explanation, have done another twist to my love for music, not knowing before of there was a “dominant” a c major or wherever was able to enjoy and this became landmarks on my trip, Beethoven 9 in Palau de la música, camber music in the royal conservatory from Madrid and many, many other But, repeat, you have done with your explanation something great, i subscribe and looking forward for the next Best wishes

[@DanielFahimi]

I LOVE YOU MAN!!!!

[@kristian6566]

For those who don't know: there are three Andras Schiff lectures on KZbin about Haydn, in which he specifically discusses both fantasias mentioned in this video. I really recommend these videos, Schiff is such a joy to listen to in my opinion. Just search for "Schiff Haydn lecture"

[@capezyo]

Thanks for the nice explanations...

[@howardchasnoff208]

thanks for these analyses. They really add to listening. With regard to Piano Concerto 17 which you mentioned, there is an exquisite development in the first movement in Bb. I V I then Ab, G ,b minor, E7 (V), A(I) it then continues the sequence. Then it goes into a chromatic bass motion with Interesting chord changes to get to his destination. Good voice leading is the only explanation for these progressions. Waiting for more examples.

[@buruboi]

This is my favorite video yet! I just subscribed to your Patreon channel!! So exciteD!!!

[@michaelladarkangelsparkle9908]

Fantastic vid! Thx for using mitsuko Imo the best mozart player we have!

[@Macart25]

Dear Mr Atkinson, what a great video you have succeeded in making again! The passage in the slow movement of the last piano concerto, which you have highlighted in purple, has also always been one of my absolute favourite moments and I am almost certain that Mozart set the words "Aufwiedersehn" (farewell) to music with the motif Bb-C-Ab. I, at least, always sing it along inside when I hear it.

[@620Ramsey]

It’s so lovely to share loving this music with you all. Sometimes I feel quite alone in my adoration. Almost like… fake Salieri :)

[@wehaveasituation]

Great stuff as always, Thanks..

[@Valentina-Steinway]

I quite accidentally stumbled on your channel. Thank you 😊 I liked, AND subscribed! As a concert pianist, I truly appreciated your dedication in all your detailed explanations! Keep up the great work!

[@Richard.Atkinson]

Welcome!

[@CommanderGinyu]

My favourite moment from concerto 27 is in the first movement when the recapitulation seems to end but suddenly the piano sighs a sentimental Neapolitan chord followed by the c theme that has only occurred once before in the orchestral exposition. I think it’s the most stand out moment in mozarts entire concerto catalogue

[@PaulGTerry]

Thanks so much for these breakdowns - mozart's piano concertos are my favourite genre of his - so this was real treat! 🎹🙌🏼

[@iggyreilly2463]

Another enjoyable video, thank you. My favorite Mozart PC slow movement is from no. 17, an seria aria that is a series of amazing moments and a good example of tragedy in major mode. The entire concerto is one of the greatest, imho. Ranki's performance here on YT is one I particularly like.

[@adrianok4266]

I absolutely ADORE Piano Concerto No. 12 the 2nd movement: it always has me moved to tears whenever I need a piece to listen to during quiet moments of contemplation whenever I feel like I am lost somewhere in my life... Thank you for your analysis, you have earned my sub

[@gideonels]

I just LOVE your videos.

[@conductus]

Though I understand you feel you need to appease those who think that Classical music requires one to insert a rod firmly up certain, shall we say, orifices. However, there is a great deal of things from musical history that are far, FAR, from the "stuffy" attitude we find today. Please, don't stop adding your wonderful moments of humor (silly, crude, or otherwise) into your videos. I'm sure many would agree that it's a definite feature to look forward to in your videos. Thanks for all the hard work.

[@ValzainLumivix]

Thanks!

[@curtbarnes4294]

Thank you for this. As a visual artist I've long been frustrated that you can physically point to parts or aspects of a painting that particularly move you and compare with other people's reactions, and learn about both art and yourself, but music is so fugitive that deconstructing, savoring HOW something is achieved, and sharing it, is much harder and rarer. Bernstein's Harvard lectures are somewhere on KZbin, and Zacharias on Schubert at Wigmore Hall is wonderful, but other examples are few and far between.

[@_Francis]

Really classic & typical Mozart

[@anthonymorris2276]

The theme from Mozart’s Coronation Mass, which Haydn quotes by way of tribute to Mozart, is not unlike the opening bars of “God Save the King”. Haydn almost certainly heard the English national anthem during his first London tour in 1791. It inspired him to write the melody for “Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser” - the only national anthem penned by a leading composer - which, of course, later became “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles".

[@ericleiter6179]

I personally like the pop culture references and while they may be unnecessary for understanding the point at hand, they do add another level of enjoyment to the presentation overall and I would actually miss them if you stopped them altogether. I also love your tangents and encyclopedic knowledge of the repertoire and this aspect also adds to my enjoyment of your videos and helps to put the whole point you're making into perspective. Keep up the good work, I say...As for the examples in this video, they are ALL beautiful and the 23rd and the 12th examples would have made my list too...Mozart's abundance of melodic inspiration in the 23rd makes you understand Dittersdorf's famous quote about how no sooner do you have one gorgeous melody in your head that it is replaced by another new and even greater one!

[@temmanutesfau435]

The second movement begins with a motif taken from Haydn's opera ‘La fedeltà premiata’ the recitative ‘bastano i pianti’. However one of the most beautiful movements.

[@TomRussle]

7:44 also happens in no. 26

[@ArieKerbel]

BRAVO!!! Excellent analysis full of imagination and musicality. Please, do make more jokes and more surprising connotations …😂😂😂 It is a pleasure listening to your videos.

[@cloverisfan818]

I am currently practicing Mozart 23.

[@prager5046]

Again, interesting video and analysis; here are some of my thoughts: 1. Don't pay attention to those who frown with regard of being" disrespectful " to Mozart's music. In fact, I would like to hear more about your personal reaction to the music you present, especially to Mozart's music. After all, with all the sophisticated scores and the art of composition, at the end of the day what makes Mozart music so powerful is its emotional impact in our brain and soul. There are plenty of other composers who are fluent in the complex rules of counterpoint and harmony, and yet their music can be tipid and even boring. Thus, i am equally interested in your short remarks about your feelings to the music, and the theoretical aspect of it, therefore it would be rewarding to hear from an intelligent guy like you more about your personal-emotional - reaction to the music itself. 2.For the last few years there is a revaluation toward Mozart's early compositions. In major opera houses, even his early operas are being performed. Who could believe tweeny years ago that in La Scala, the house of the heavy duty Italian composers like Verdi, Puccini etc. will take the effort to stage a full production of an early Mozart's opera-composed when he was only sixteen years old. Today all Mozart's Piano concertos from no 9 k 271 are considered masterpieces. 3. Even a psychopath like Stalin was not immunized to the beauty of piano concerto number 23. Attached is the story behind it. www.austinchronicle.com/music/2004-02-13/196899/ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGTJgGmlfZ6cars

[@MarvinFalz]

Beautiful moments! And I enjoy musical phrases that remind me of human expressions like the Nelson Muntz theme! Or the laughing and mocking saxophone that plays in Diamonds Are Forever, when Bond and Tiffany Case escape the police in Las Vegas. Or the middle part of the 4th movement of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, where the music seems to ridicule, laugh, and sneer.

[@Tizohip]

Another GREAT VIDEO BRAH.

[@tamed4171]

what a coincidence, I've been studying and listening to his piano concertos a lot recently, I haven't gotten to these ones yet though

[@dukedome]

Ah Mozart! I love you 💕

[@k.l.spencer5635]

I played Beethoven's 110 - never knew about the "my cat has had kittens" theme! (They could have added a footnote). The autograph of Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 1 has insults and jokes with the music. I bet the published editions don't... It's a conspiracy! Maybe Beethoven wrote, "I'm just fucking with ya" near the end of his Hammerklavier Sonata, but no one will publish it?! On a serious note (since we're not allowed to have a sense of humor): Mozart's brilliant at catching you off guard. The change about 2/3 of the way through his "Hm! Hm! Hm!" aria from "Die Zauberflöte" is another stunning example.

[@BsktImp]

The _Larghetto_ from K. 595 always reminds me of Haydn's _Allegretto_ from his _Military_ Symphony No. 100.

[@Richard.Atkinson]

If you watch the Linz Symphony video I referenced in this one, you'll see I pointed out that same similarity!

[@fredericchopin4821]

I was wondering about your thoughts on the second movement of the K.271 concerto. The haunting theme with an innovative development section really makes for excellent listening.

[@4034miguel]

Each KZbinr has the right of presenting his content as he see fit. I do not see any problem with the way you introduce those evocations from your life and infancy. Mozart and Haydn were very humorous and introduced silly and comical elements in their music. The actitud of some music lovers is what makes difficult to introduce new listeners to the best and most beautiful music in the world.

[@ths7939]

Great analysis as usual. Do you have any plans to make videos of Mozart’s opera? I thinks that’s a big portion of his works and there are a lot to talk about.

[@WizardWalk]

oh no, now I'm always gonna hear that "ha-ha" lol

[@tinlinmusic]

You're kind of spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful moments in Mozart's Piano Concertos, but these were certainly some good examples!

[@schrysafis]

Hey, could you do an analysis of Mozart's Piano Concerto 17 3rd movement. It gives so many feelings and it's worth to take a look at it in a further understanding.

[@ronh3935]

please do continue with all sorts of juvenile distractions (just as Haydn and Mozart did).

[@andrewashdown3541]

Thanks for dissecting & explaining (unweaving the rainbow, perhaps) this to me previously inexplicable quality of WAM - his ability to go beyond Bach's obsession with contrapuntal mastery, Handel's massive effects, Haydn's structural innovation, and focus on pure beauty, emotional, unspeakably moving aural sensation - which LvB then took on board alongside the other aforementioned influences - but no-one ever matched WAM's capacity for hiding the technicalities, leaving the 'stuff' of music behind, soaring away into some inexpressible, almost spiritual dimension

[@michelangelociarlo4281]

In the K488 concerto the green theme is very similar to a theme in Beethoven's 4th piano concerto (first movement).

[@shawnwilliamson9267]

I always thought so! Glad to see i’m not crazy!

[@FiveSharps]

It wouldn't be a proper Richard Atkinson video without a 10 minute long tangent about an obscure Haydn work, would it?

[@matthiasm4299]

Loved it, wonderful insights on these pieces that I love so dearly and some new Haydn piano music to discover! But how dare he claim that my country has produced such obscene folk songs? On the contrary, I assure you that everything in Austria is highly cultured & civilized and that Haydn & Mozart would have never stooped so low! 😉

[@dlevi67]

Clearly picked them up from the Germans to the North. See e.g. Bach's "ad lib" from the Goldberg Variations 😁

[@Brynbo]

20:00, couldn't quite conceal your laugh there :')

[@Richard.Atkinson]

I just read the script!