The Mozart Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K. 451 testifies to the frantic pace of Mozart’s activity during his Viennese time. The D-major concerto is the heroic Mozart at his best. The exuberant scoring includes trumpets and timpani, and the solo part places demands on the performer unlike any Mozart had previously made.
In contrast to the rather straightforward presentation of thematic material in the opening movement of the Mozart concerto No. 14, this concerto carefully manipulates the soloist and orchestra in a complex composition of sonata form. The independent orchestral writing for the winds meant that this concerto needed a full orchestra for performance.
Indeed, a review of the published version of this concerto issued in 1791 complained that, “It is only to be regretted that this masterly keyboard concerto is impracticable in smaller circles because of the number of instruments for which it is scored and is usable only with a strong, well-mannered orchestra.”
Here is Lise de la Salle to play this music for you:
