As far as Mozart´s piano concertos are concerned, 1784 was his most productive year: in an astonishingly short space of time he wrote the concertos K.449, 450,451 and 453 and then, after a pause of several months, the concertos K.456 and 459. Especially during the period of Lent Mozart was assiduously playing the piano. At least 23 concertos in a period of 46 days can still be traced - an awesome accomplishment considering that Mozart was also composing and teaching.
Based on a letter from Mozart´s father, Leopold, there is speculation the concerto was written for the celebrated pianist Maria Theresia Paradis. Whatever the reason for its composition it is a confident work with a supremely entertaining piano part.