Written at the same time as The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s 23rd and 24th Piano Concertos feature here. The latter drove Beethoven to proclaim he could never write anything like it, while a radio broadcast of the former captivated Stalin to such an extent that his aides dragged pianist Maria Yudina out of bed to record it for him. These two works are accompanied by the Concerto-Rondo which, according to Mozart, caused “a furore” when it premiered in Vienna. Paavali Jumppanen leads from the piano.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Given his reputation as a larger-than-life trickster, it’s little surprise that Mozart’s capacity for crafting characters from sound is unparalleled. ANAM’s Artistic Director Paavali Jumppanen leads the MSO from the piano for this vivid insight into Mozart’s brilliance.

Mozart’s Rondo for solo piano – based on a melody by his early mentor J.C. Bach – provides a charming opener to set the stage for the two works to come.

Both Piano Concertos No.23 and No.24 were composed in 1786 while Mozart was immersed in writing his operatic comedy The Marriage of Figaro, and both are infused with a sense of drama.

Piano Concerto No.24 takes us to another realm entirely. Out of a dark, mystical opening emerges a tender and vulnerable piano solo – our characters are set – and a raging battle between ruthless power and quiet honesty ensues.