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| Konstanze Mozart |
When in 1780, Wolfgang Amadeus learned that his first love, Aloysia, had just married another man, he did not dispair or contemplate suicide. (Göethe had not yet given to the world his Sorrows of Young Werther...). Instead, he turned a little and set his sights on the black eyes of little Konstanze, who was one year younger than her sister Aloysia, and was just hanging around over there.
They married in 1782, and the following years, up until his dead in 1791, were probably the happiest in Wolfgang's entire life. Two years later and still deeply in love, Konstanze and Wolfgang would write to Mozart's younger sister Nannerl, on the eve of her marriage: "We wish that you two will live together as harmoniously as we two".
They immersed themselves in the dazzling artistic life of the Vienna of that era. The year 1785 found Mozart totally dedicated to his intense musical life; a period that proved to be very productive regarding publications.
Because of its popularity, the Concerto for piano and orchestra No. 20 in D minor stands out amongst his work of that time.
Beethoven, by then a fifteen years old lad, would maintain this concert in his repertoire for many years. Additionally, he would compose the cadenzas (i.e. the solo sections improvised by the interpreter or played according to prepared guidelines) for this and other concerts.
Concerto No. 20 - First Movement
The initial movement begins with a two-minute introduction by the orchestra, after which enters the piano soloist. I have chosen a version by the excellent Czech pianist Ivan Klansky, because of his amazing technique. He plays with such ease that his gestures seem to directly communicate with his emotions.
I apologize for the unavoidable cuts.
