Spitball Army

I love classical music and, of course, that includes Mozart. So much of so-called “art music” is plainly inaccessible to the average ear, including mine. Just give me a solid melody, craftily-set and well-executed, and I’m happy. Mozart, if we’re led to believe the stories and the film Amadeus, strove to be populist and to be loved for his work. He succeeded, didn’t he?

Here are some slow movements from one of the musical genres that Mozart most definitely mastered: the piano concerto. They’re relaxing at any time of day, especially when one might be wanting to unwind with the eventual goal of catching a few zzz’s.

Approximate playing time: 65 minutes.

1. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 15 in B flat major, K. 450 (Leonard Bernstein, piano)
2. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414 (Murray Perahia, piano)
3. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 25 in C major, K. 503 (Murray Perahia, piano)
4. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major, K. 537 “Coronation” (Murray Perahia, piano)
5. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat major, K. 595 (Keith Jarrett, piano)
6. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 (Murray Perahia, piano)
7. Andantino from Piano Concerto No. 9 in E flat major, K. 271 “Jeunehomme” (Murray Perahia, piano)
8. Larghetto from Piano Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K. 491 (Murray Perahia, piano)