Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 365

Program notes

About the Work

Mozart composed this concerto in 1779, shortly after returning from an extended trip to Paris, a journey that had begun with high hopes and ended in personal tragedy with the death of his mother. The work was most likely written for Wolfgang and Nannerl to perform together in Salzburg.

The concerto is scored for the two soloists with a modest orchestra of oboes, bassoons, horns, and strings. Years later Mozart played it in Vienna with his pupil Josepha Auernhammer, and in 1782 clarinets, trumpets and timpani were added to the score, though the authenticity of those additions is not beyond question.

Brothers Lucas and Arthur Jussen bring their own sibling bond to this work tonight, performing music originally written for another brother-sister duo. The Jussen brothers’ uncanny synchronicity and intuitive dialogue may well mirror what Mozart experienced with Nannerl.

What to listen for tonight:

• First movement (Allegro): After a jaunty orchestral introduction the two pianos enter together, immediately establishing their equality. Listen for how the material is divided almost evenly between them, creating a stereophonic dialogue.

• Second movement (Andante): A slow, refined movement in B-flat major. The orchestra stays largely in the background, letting the soloists’ intimate conversation bloom.

• Third movement (Rondeau: Allegro): One of the finest examples of wit and humor in all Mozart. The tuneful rondo theme returns repeatedly, with rhythmic drive offset by moments of lyrical grace. The dialogue between the pianos becomes especially intense as fragmentary themes pass rapidly from one to the other.