The Complete Original Cadenzas to the Piano Concertos: Piano Book

Lili Kraus's contribution here is invaluable: she provides Mozart's authentic cadenzas where they survive, then creates thoughtful editorial versions for the works where none were recorded. This gives pianists access to the complete cadenza tradition as Mozart himself knew it, grounded in period practice rather than speculation. Her choices honor both the composer's voice and the improvisatory spirit that defined these works in their original context.

Mozart's cadenzas shimmer with instrumental virtuosity and unexpected harmonic turns, moving fluidly between ornamental brilliance and genuine emotional depth. Kraus's editorial additions respect this balance, maintaining the Classical poise and elegant architecture that define Mozart's style. Whether original or reconstructed, each cadenza unfolds as a moment of intimate dialogue between soloist and concerto.

Advanced pianists preparing for recital performance or competition, teachers coaching concerto soloists, and serious students studying Mozart's concertos at the upper high school or collegiate level. This resource is essential for anyone who wants to perform these concertos authentically without guessing which cadenzas are Mozart's original work and which require interpretation.

• Study Mozart's preserved cadenzas first to absorb his harmonic language, voice leading, and developmental techniques; they become models for interpreting Kraus's editorial additions with authenticity.
• Treat cadenzas as extensions of the surrounding material, not interruptions. The thematic ideas should grow organically from what precedes them.
• Balance technical display with lyrical content. Mozart's cadenzas are never merely showpieces; they develop musical ideas and deepen harmonic exploration.
• Use the edition's notation as a guide, but allow room for slight flexibility in tempo and breathing within the cadenza's architecture.

Program a complete Mozart concerto as a recital centerpiece, using this edition to ensure your cadenzas are historically informed and musically cohesive. These editions also work well for chamber concert presentations that pair a single concerto movement with other Classical works. For teaching, use this collection to show advanced students how cadenzas function as both technical challenges and musical opportunities.

• Performing authentic Mozart cadenzas and understanding their structural role in the concerto form
• Distinguishing between Mozart's original harmonic language and editorial interpretations
• Developing improvisatory facility within a Classical harmonic framework
• Balancing rapid passagework with lyrical phrasing across extended solo passages
• Understanding historical performance practice in the Classical concerto tradition