Music: Piano Concerto No. 21
Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Rating: 5/5
Summary: It charms you, then calms you down before refreshing you.
Of Mozart's twenty-seven piano concertos, his twenty-first is one
of the most popular, and with good reason. It is easily accessible
as well as holding up to scrutiny.
The first movement is sublime. While it is light enough to serve
as background music, it also has plenty to offer your undivided
attention. The piano and other instruments seem to talk to each
other, exploring different ideas without straying too far. This
movement is pleasant, coherent, and seems to be over all too soon.
The second movement gives you a moment to rest. It is a simpler,
quieter piece. While it doesn't astound you with complex interactions
between the piano and other instruments, it still has a subtle charm.
The final movement is lively, and fills you with spirit. The
complexity of the first movement returns to excite your rested mind
again, giving the whole composition a gratifying symmetry. By the
time it finishes, it leaves you feeling invigorated.
While each of the three movements is good in its own right, the
concerto as a whole is even better. Using the structure of a three
movement sonata, the music first charms you, then calms you down
before finally refreshing your energy. | 
