Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K. 467, II. Andante (1785)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)

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     Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 in C has only appeared in one film, but to enormous acclaim. This concert is featured in the 1967 Swedish film, Elvira Madigan; so much so, that the concerto has often been nicknamed "the Elvira Madigan concerto" by some musicians!

     The second movement, Andante, is an elegant, dreamy piece. The entire movement is featured throughout Elvira Madigan, most memorably at the movie's dramatic, tragic climax, based on a true story. Elvira Madigan was the stage name of Danish tightrope walker, Hedvig Antoinette Isabella Eleonore Jensen. At the beginning of the movie, Elvira (Hedvig) runs away from her father's circus to be with Swedish nobleman lieutenant Sixten Sparre. Despite their love, the two face a future with grim prospects, for neither can find work, as Hedvig is a well-known performer turned runaway, and Sixten is a military defector. By the end of the movie, Hedvig and Sixten are left with no means to provide for themselves and come to the decision death is the only solution.