Wit, warmth, and surprising emotional depth: Mozart's 27 completed piano concertos are one of classical music's best-loved bodies of works.
Across ten masterworks, Mozart transformed the concerto from mere display piece into an intimate conversation between soloist and orchestra. Whether you’re basking in the sunny optimism of the C major No. 21 or unspooling the stormy drama of the D minor No. 20, there’s a concerto to suit every mood and moment.
These works span Mozart’s career, from the youthful exuberance of his early Munich concertos to the poised maturity of his final B-flat major No. 27. Along the way, he experimented with form and texture—adding wind solos for colour, weaving operatic drama into instrumental lines, and occasionally daring to write in minor keys for added intensity. Each concerto balances technical brilliance with a gift for melody that feels both effortless and eternally fresh.
More than virtuosic showcases, Mozart’s concertos are studded with playful surprises: a sudden orchestral flourish, a cheeky cadence, or a tender lyricism that stops you in your tracks. Audiences have loved these works for centuries, drawn to their elegant structures and the seamless dialogue they establish between piano and ensemble. They remain fixtures of concert programmes worldwide, endlessly studied by pianists and cherished by listeners.
In celebrating Mozart’s piano concertos, we honour a body of work that embodies the essence of Classical style—clarity, balance, and expressive grace—while offering boundless variety. Step into this world, and you’ll discover why these concertos are among classical music’s most beloved treasures.
Best Mozart piano concerto: the top 11
11. No. 5 in D major, K. 175 (1773)
Mozart’s first widely circulated concerto, penned at age 17, bursts with youthful exuberance. The bright opening Allegro showcases bold orchestral fanfares and sprightly piano figuration. A graceful Andante interlude offers unexpected intimacy, while the finale’s lively rondo brims with dance-like themes. Though occasionally mannered, No. 5 reveals Mozart’s early grasp of concerto drama and set the stage for his later, more ambitious works.
10. No. 19 in F major, K. 459 (1784)
No. 19 blends courtly elegance with rustic charm. Its sunny first movement features melodic dialogues between piano and winds, evoking village serenades. The gentle Andante showcases Mozart’s gift for lyrical simplicity, with the soloist weaving graceful ornamentation over soft orchestral accompaniment. A spirited Rondo finale bursts with playful motifs and brisk exchanges, bringing the concerto to a buoyant close. No. 19 remains a delightful example of Mozart’s classical mastery.
9. No. 17 in G major, K. 453 (1784)
Celebrated for its sublime slow movement, No. 17 sparkles with Viennese elegance. The Allegro opening features a confident orchestral statement answered by an equally poised piano entry. The Andantino is one of Mozart’s most serene slow movements, its simple melody unfolding with heartfelt expressivity. A playful finale rounds out the concerto, deftly blending rococo charm with Classical poise, making it a perennial audience favorite.
8. No. 9 in E-flat major, K. 271 'Jeunehomme' (1777)
A groundbreaking work, the 'Jeunehomme' concerto dazzles with its dramatic flair and refined virtuosity. Its expansive opening gesture gives way to inventive dialogues and harmonic surprises. The Andantino combines operatic expressivity with orchestral colour, while the finale’s intricate rondo mixes vitality and lyrical charm.
Fun fact: the nickname 'Jeunehomme' derives from a misreading of Madame Jenamy, for whom Mozart wrote the work in 1777. Early cataloguers misinterpreted 'Jenamy' as the French words jeune homme ('young man'), and the nickname stuck.
7. No. 25 in C major, K. 503 (1786)
Composed in 1786, No. 25 stands as one of Mozart’s grandest concertos, often dubbed his “Grand C Major.” The opening Allegro maestoso unfolds with expansive orchestral statements and a heroic piano entrance. A lyrical Andante offers intimate contrast, its plaintive theme carried by muted strings. The finale, a robust Allegro grazioso, weaves spirited exchanges and dazzling figurations. No. 25’s symphonic scale and dramatic flair mark it as a high point in Mozart’s mature concerto output.
6. No. 22 in E-flat major, K. 482 (1785)
Brimming with warmth and elegance, No. 22 opens with a regal orchestral theme that yields to a graceful piano entrance. Its lyrical slow movement unfolds with tender interplay between piano and woodwinds, while the sprightly finale dances through charming motifs. Though its melodic beauty and refined textures are undeniable, it ranks just below Mozart’s very greatest concertos because it lacks the dramatic contrasts and emotional depth found in his two minor-key masterpieces, or the transcendent slow movements of two others to follow...
5. No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595 (1791)
Mozart’s final piano concerto emanates serene wisdom. The poised Allegro opens with warm thematic material, leading to gentle, nuanced piano dialogues. The serene Larghetto unfolds with crystalline simplicity and poetic grace, and the concluding Allegro strikes a delicate balance between spirited charm and reflective elegance. No. 27’s understated beauty and mature restraint make it the crowning achievement of Mozart’s concerto oeuvre.
4. No. 23 in A major, K. 488 (1786)
To be honest, it's very hard to separate these final four. No. 23 opens with a noble orchestral theme leading to a warm, cantabile piano entry. The Adagio is one of Mozart’s most transcendent slow movements, suffused with touching melancholy and sublime calm. A spirited Allegro finale rejoices in sparkling motifs and deft exchanges. This concerto balances mature lyricism and Classical poise, standing as a paragon of Mozart’s concerto artistry.
3. No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 (1786)
In a rare minor key, No. 24 throbs with intense drama from the first chord. Its dark Allegro weaves brooding orchestral textures with commanding piano recitatives. The tender Larghetto offers a heartfelt respite, its poignant melody underpinned by tender string harmonies. A turbulent finale returns to the stormy spirit, demanding virtuosic bravura. This concerto’s emotional depth and dramatic contrasts place it among Mozart’s most profound works - and looks forward to the Romantic era of Beethoven, Brahms (pictured) and Tchaikovsky.
2. No. 21 in C major, K. 467 (1785)
Nicknamed the “Elvira Madigan” concerto, No. 21 is famed for its ethereal Andante, immortalized in film. The opening Allegro shines with joyous themes and playful interplay between soloist and orchestra. The delicate slow movement unfolds like a nocturne, its serene melody floating over tender accompaniments. A buoyant Allegro vivace finale brings sunny brilliance. This concerto epitomizes Mozart’s seamless blend of elegance, lyricism, and Classical refinement.
Best Mozart piano concerto: and the winner is...
1. No. 20 in D minor, K. 466 (1785)
One of only two minor-key concertos Mozart ever wrote, No. 20 crackles with the passionate intensity of the Sturm und Drang movement. Its brooding first movement opens on ominous orchestral chords that give way to impassioned piano outbursts, as if the soloist is wrestling with fate itself.
The central Romance (Romanze: Andante) provides a moment of poignant relief, its hauntingly simple melody carried solely by the piano over delicate string accompaniment. Yet the peace is fleeting: the finale (Allegro assai) returns to the work’s turbulent spirit, driving forward with restless energy and culminating in breathless, virtuosic flourishes.
Renowned for its profound emotional range and dramatic contrasts, Concerto No. 20 influenced composers from Beethoven onwards, as well as generations of pianists who continue to be drawn to its haunting power.
