Mozart: Divertimento in E-Flat Major

Featuring

Henning Kraggerud
Lars Anders Tomter
Christoph Richter
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Composition History

Mozart's famous String Trio K. 563 was not commissioned but was a gift for his friend and fellow-mason, Johann Michael Puchberg, who often lent Mozart money.

Performer Biography

Lars Anders Tomter, the violist on this album, plays a Gasparo da Salò viola dating from 1590.

Compositional Technique

Unlike string quartets, Mozart's string trios, such as K. 563, demand a richer individual sound from each instrument, with each having a strong individual voice.

Performer Biography

Henning Kraggerud, the violinist on this album, plays a 1744 Guarneri del Gesù instrument, provided by Dextra Musica AS.

Composer Biography

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, despite popular legend, was not a poor musician; his annual income from 1787 until his death was about 3000 Gulden.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Mozart was a strong supporter of Enlightenment ideas, and his personal library included political journals and Enlightenment novels.

Notable Performances

The premiere of Mozart's K. 563 likely occurred on April 13, 1789, in Dresden, with Mozart himself playing the viola, Anton Teyber (court organist) on violin, and Anton Kraft (Prince Esterházy's cellist) on cello.