Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Recommended to libraries with holdings devoted to music history and analysis at the upper-division undergraduate level and above." Choice"The entire handbook is exceptionally clear and well written." Notes
Synopsis
This guide to Mozart's two most popular piano concertos - No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, and No. 21 in C major, K. 467 (the so-called 'Elvira Madigan') - presents the historical background of the works and places them within the context of Mozart's compositional and performance activities at a time when his reputation as both composer and pianist was at its peak. The special nature of the concerto, as both a form and a genre, is explored through a survey of some of the approaches that critics have taken in discussing Mozart's concertos, ranging from analysis of pure structure to representations of the works as metaphors for human dramas. A theory of concerto form provides the basis for detailed accounts of the two concertos. The concluding chapter discusses a wide range of issues of particular interest to modern performers, including historical instruments, orchestra size and seating, cadenzas, basso continuo and improvised embellishments.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction; 2. Twentieth-century theoriesof Mozartâs concerto form; 3. First movements; 4. Middle movements; 5. Finales; 6 Performance practice issues.