Mozart: Posthorn Serenade & Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Featuring

Michael Alexander Willens
Kölner Akademie
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Instruments

The 'Posthorn' Serenade is aptly named because the post horn, an instrument used by mail coaches as a warning signal, has a prominent solo in the second trio of the second minuet.

Compositional Technique

The 'Posthorn' Serenade is Mozart's only work to include pairs of both flutes and oboes, showcasing sophisticated wind writing throughout.

Historical Context

Serenades were a common feature of Salzburg musical life, often performed at university graduation ceremonies in August to honor professors.

Composition History

Mozart's 'Posthorn' Serenade was composed in Salzburg in 1779 and was his last serenade for full orchestra.

Composition History

The two Marches in D major, K335, were processional pieces intended to introduce and conclude serenade performances in the same key.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Mozart's passion for concertos may have originated in the serenade genre, which often included concertante movements with soloistic displays.

Recording & Production

For this recording of 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik', a lost minuet and trio are replaced by a minuet from Mozart's very first string quartet, K.80, to complete the five-movement structure.