This recording uses an exceptional combination of thirteen instruments, inspired by Mozart's Serenade KV 361/370a, known as Gran Partita.
Historical Context
In 1782, Emperor Joseph II founded the Königliche-Kaiserliche Harmonie, a wind octet that made this type of ensemble fashionable across the Austrian Empire and beyond.
Interpretation
Zefiro's new arrangements for this album aim to highlight the liveliness, expressiveness, and sensitivity of Mozart's music, rather than offering a modern interpretation.
Historical Context
Having a Harmonie, a wind ensemble, was a status symbol for aristocratic households, showing they were up-to-date with the latest cultural trends.
Composition History
The primary task of a Harmonie was to provide background music, such as Tafelmusik (table music) for meals, and transcriptions of popular operatic arias.
Composer Biography
Mozart himself noted the difficulty of arranging operas for wind instruments, as expressed in a letter to his father Leopold dated July 20, 1782.
