Piano concerto no. 21 in C major

Famed for its beauty and lyricism, the Piano Concerto in C Major is one of Mozart’s best-­ loved and most familiar works. It is usually dated March 9, 1785, based on Mozart’s notes in his Thematic Catalogue, but the autograph itself is dated a bit earlier, “nel febraio 1785” (“in February 1785”). He premiered the work at his concert on March 10, 1785. Leopold Mozart, amazed by his son’s success, wrote to his daughter, Nannerl: “Your brother made 559 Gulden at his concert” (about 124 gold ducats—an impressive sum).