Originally, this concerto was composed for harpsichord or fortepiano and scored for an orchestra in a relatively undeveloped galant style that had been evident in early works by Haydn.

Haydn and Mozart probably had become acquainted by 1784, when this concerto was published.

Although Mozart returned from Italy in March 1773 at the age of seventeen, he did not turn to piano concertos until 1776;[2] nonetheless, some biographers and music historians suggest that distinct similarities in this work by Haydn might indicate influence by the works of Mozart.

The original scores of this cadenza, handwritten by Haydn, have survived.

The work is scored for solo keyboard and an orchestra consisting of two oboes, two horns in D, and strings.