In 1784, when Mozart's musical activity was at its peak, six piano concertos were composed. This Concerto No. 17, the fourth of these, was composed on April 12 for his pupil, Miss Barbara Ployer. Two months prior, Piano Concerto No. 14, K. 449, had also been dedicated to her, and these two works are known as "Concerto for Ployer" No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.

The work consists of two movements with a distinctly feminine and gentle atmosphere, and a movement featuring prominent solo piano activity, yet all movements exhibit excellent harmony between the orchestra and the piano, creating a sense of symphonic unity.

Two cadenzas by the composer himself remain for both the first and second movements (the authenticity of one for each movement is doubted).

First Movement: Allegro, G major, 4/4 time.

Concerto-sonata form. Although clear sonorities and lovely themes dominate the entire movement, it also possesses the breadth characteristic of a concerto.

Second Movement: Andante, C major, 3/4 time.

Small-scale concerto-sonata form. A movement consisting of a gentle, wavering arioso theme. The piano's theme stands out against the sustained notes of the winds and the pulsating strings.

Third Movement: Allegretto, G major, 2/2 time.

Variation form. A pastoral and lively movement consisting of a bird-like theme, five variations, and a finale. The piano's vigorous movements, seemingly inciting the orchestra, must have been met with enthusiastic applause. Incidentally, about a month after completing the work, Mozart found and purchased a starling that could whistle this theme. It is said that he cherished the bird so much that he wrote a commemorative poem when it died three years later.