I let this jubilant and playful finale play in the background this morning as I tended to a few things and I couldn’t help feel more buoyant and lightness. I first heard it as a teenager in the Amadeus movie soundtrack. The interplay between the pianos can feel like a spirited and witty conversation between two close companions – a representation of camaraderie or good-natured rivalry. It conjures in my mind images of elegant ballrooms or serene outdoor festivities, where joy and refinement coexist.
The following was mostly extracted from the Wikipedia reference below:
It is presumed that Mozart wrote this Concerto to play with his sister Maria Anna (“Nannerl”). She was born in Salzburg on July 30, 1751 and like Wolfgang was taught by their father and became an excellent pianist. Mozart also played this Concerto twice in concerts in Vienna with his pupil Josephine Auernhammer.
The concerto was originally scored for two fortepianos (see image inset) together with two oboes, two bassoons, two horns in E♭, and strings. Mozart expanded the score in 1782 with pairs of clarinets, trumpets and timpani. However, the authenticity of the additions is not beyond question; as they do not appear in the score.
Research by Alan Tyson shows that this was written in Mozart and his father’s handwriting on a type of paper used between August 1775 and January 1777. However, most sources, including Tyson’s book Mozart: Studies of the Autograph Scores or more recently Lindeman’s The Concerto: A Research and Information Guide (2006) indicate that it was composed in 1779.
References:
1. Piano Concerto No.10 (Mozart) – Wikipedia
2. Concerto in E-flat for two pianos, K.365 – Boston Symphony Orchestra
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Beautiful! I should listen to classical music more often. It’s not that I don’t like it. In fact, I do enjoy it. I just don’t listen to it. It was pretty much the same with jazz for the longest time. Granted, the day only has 24 hours, and there’s so much music in my core wheelhouse I’ve yet to listen to! I’ve been toying with the idea to start a recurring feature focused on classical music or introduce classical tracks to my Sunday posts. Not sure yet what I may do…
I too should listen to more classical music than I currently do although I have always had a penchant for it stemming from my Grandmother being a classical pianist. The older I get the more satisfaction and enlightenment I get from hearing it.
I see what you mean about the day being so short. I find that also regarding the confines of branching out into other spheres of music. I hope you are able to somehow introduce your favourite classical musical pieces into your already eclectic music blog. Cheers.
A grandson playing piano is a great motivator.
You know, the funny thing is when I picked up the guitar as a 12 or 13-year-old, technically, I took classical guitar lessons. My grandpa was a music teacher and pianist who loved classical music! As such, I’ve been exposed to classical music since my childhood.
But my guitar teacher, who in my late teens helped me get started on the bass, was smart to understand that mixing up classical instruction with teaching me how to play chords and do finger-picking for folk, pop and rock songs would keep me motivated. And he was right!
I also took a few classical guitar lessons when I started to learn in my 30’s. After I came to Colombia, I didn’t keep at it unfortunately.
So you also had a Grandparent who was steeped in Classical music and a music teacher – no less!
It sounds like your guitar teacher was a significant mentor (at least musically) in your young adulthood. Thanks for sharing as always Christian.
That’s cool! Between my grandpa, who always supported my musical endeavors and my great guitar teacher, I have a lot to be grateful about. Unfortunately, I don’t play much guitar these days and, as such, have become pretty rusty. That said whenever I grab the instrument I still enjoy it.