Financially, 1794 was one of Mozart's most successful years in Vienna. No less than six of his piano concerti were composed and premiered during this season of subscription concerts.
Mozart composed his Piano Concerto 17 for one of his very advanced students named Barbara Ployer. As such, Mozart's cadenzas for the concerto were notated by the composer and still exist. The work was featured on a concert in Vienna which also saw the premiere of the Quintet in Eb for Piano and Winds (K452), a work Mozart described in a letter to his father as "the best composition I have ever written."
The Piano Concerto 17 was first performed in 1784 at the Imperial and Royal National Court Theatre in Vienna (which was replaced in 1874 by the current Burgtheater). The concert was also attended by Emperor Joseph II who apparently called out "Bravo Mozart" at the conclusion of the performance.
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| THE IMPERIAL AND ROYAL COURT THEATRE IN VIENNA |
The concerto is in the bright key of G Major and, with few exceptions, is cheerful throughout. According to Mozart, his pet starling learned to sing the opening four measures of the 3rd movement.
