Since the first four concertos were arrangements of other composers' works, this piece can effectively be considered Mozart's second piano concerto. It was composed in January 1776, two years after the previous work. Like Concerto No. 5, it was likely intended for performance by Mozart himself or his sister Nannerl in concerts. Within the first half of that year, three piano concertos, including this one, were intensively composed. The piano concertos composed during his Salzburg period (Nos. 5-9) seem to have been taken on his Mannheim-Paris journey starting in 1777 and performed in various locations.

The work possesses a sociable brightness, fitting the character of a piano concerto. While lacking the flamboyance of the previous work with trumpets and timpani, it generally exhibits youthful vivacity, with the intricately moving piano standing out.

First Movement

Allegro aperto, B-flat major, 4/4 time. Concerto-sonata form. “Aperto” means “clear, leisurely and bright, distinct.” As indicated, it is a well-articulated movement with clear contrasts.

Second Movement

Andante un poco adagio, E-flat major, 3/4 time. The use of flutes instead of oboes and the instruction for violins to play con sordino reveal a meticulous attention to timbre for this lyrical movement.

Third Movement

Rondo. Allegro, B-flat major, 2/2 time. Rondo form. The episodes interspersed with the light rondo theme provide opportunities for the piano to shine.