Mozart's original piano concertos begin with No. 5. Concertos Nos. 1-4, composed in 1767 when he was 11 years old, are arrangements of other composers' piano sonatas. The original works were primarily by German composers active in Paris, who strongly influenced Mozart through interactions during his travels. His father, Leopold, likely brought back scores of their works and had his son practice composing concertos. The father's handwriting also remains in the autograph scores.

Paris at that time was a cultural center in Europe. In the 1760s, the Mozart father and son, who were visiting various places, stayed in Paris for five months from November 1763 and two months from May 1766. This Western tour, including two visits to Paris, allowed the young Mozart to absorb various musical styles and broaden his compositional range. The four piano concertos can be considered one of the outcomes of this period.

Original Works for Each Movement

• First Movement: L. Honauer, Op. 1-1 (First Movement)
• Second Movement: H. F. Raupach, Op. 1-1 (Second Movement)
• Third Movement: L. Honauer, Op. 1-1 (Third Movement)

Leontzi Honauer (c. 1730-c. 1790) was a German musician active in Paris who received high acclaim. Hermann Friedrich Raupach (1728-78) was a musician born in North Germany who was active in Saint Petersburg. It is believed that Mozart met him in 1766, when Raupach had just left Russia and arrived in Paris.