K. 563
Encyclopedia
The Divertimento in E flat, K. 563, is a string trio
, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
in 1788
, the year in which he completed his last three symphonies and his "Coronation" Piano Concerto
. It is widely regarded as separate from his other divertimenti.
The work was completed in Vienna on September 27, 1788, and is dedicated to Michael Puchberg
, a fellow Freemason
, who lent money to Mozart. The premiere was in Dresden on April 13, 1789 with Anton Teyber
taking the violin part, Mozart playing viola and Antonín Kraft
playing cello. At the time Mozart was conducting a tour of German cities, on his way to Berlin; see Mozart's Berlin journey
.
Recorded performances of the Divertimento range from 41 to 50 minutes.
performance), his only completed string trio (there are fragments) shares with most divertimenti this six-movement format, but from that no lightness of tone should be understood – rather, "it is a true chamber-music work, and grew to such large proportions only because it was intended to offer ... something special in the way of art, invention, and good spirits. ... Each instrument is primus inter pares
, every note is significant, every note is a contribution to spiritual and sensuous fulfillment in sound." Einstein called it "one of his noblest works."
Mozart's Divertimento in E-flat major is "one of a kind," according to the notes to an Emerson Quartet
performance. "It is not only Mozart's only finished composition for string trio – it also appears to be the first such work by any composer." Though probably the first substantial work for the combination, it is not the first work written for string trio; there were works for violin, viola and cello written at least five years earlier, by Wenzel Pichl
, and works for two violins and bass, probably based on the trio sonata
, written much before that.
String trio
A string trio is a group of three string instruments or a piece written for such a group. The term is generally used with reference to works of chamber music from the Classical period to the present.-History:...
, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
in 1788
1788 in music
-Events:* Antonio Salieri appointed Imperial Royal Kapellmeister by Emperor Joseph II of Austria.*Domenico Cimarosa is invited to St Petersburg by the Empress Catherine II of Russia.-Opera:*Thomas Carter – The Constant Maid, or Poll of Plympton...
, the year in which he completed his last three symphonies and his "Coronation" Piano Concerto
Piano Concerto No. 26 (Mozart)
The Piano Concerto No. 26 in D major, K. 537, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and completed on February 24, 1788. It is generally known as the "Coronation" Concerto.-Source of the nickname "Coronation":...
. It is widely regarded as separate from his other divertimenti.
The work was completed in Vienna on September 27, 1788, and is dedicated to Michael Puchberg
Michael von Puchberg
Johann Michael von Puchberg was a textile merchant who lived in Vienna in the 18th and early 19th centuries...
, a fellow Freemason
Mozart and Freemasonry
For the last seven years of his life Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a Mason. The Masonic order played an important role in his life and work.-Mozart's lodges:...
, who lent money to Mozart. The premiere was in Dresden on April 13, 1789 with Anton Teyber
Anton Teyber
Anton Teyber , was an Austrian organist, Kapellmeister and composer.Anton Teyber was born and died in Vienna. His brother was Franz Teyber. He taught the children of the Holy Roman Emperor before working as a composer to the Dresden opera and Vienna court. He is notable for his two 'Concertos for...
taking the violin part, Mozart playing viola and Antonín Kraft
Antonín Kraft
Antonín Kraft was an Czech cellist and composer. He was a close friend of Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven....
playing cello. At the time Mozart was conducting a tour of German cities, on his way to Berlin; see Mozart's Berlin journey
Mozart's Berlin journey
One of the longest adulthood journeys of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a visit, beginning in Spring 1789, to a series of cities lying northward of his adopted home in Vienna: Prague, Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin.-Departure:...
.
Movements
- Allegro – sonata formSonata formSonata form is a large-scale musical structure used widely since the middle of the 18th century . While it is typically used in the first movement of multi-movement pieces, it is sometimes used in subsequent movements as well—particularly the final movement...
- Adagio – sonata form
- MinuetMinuetA minuet, also spelled menuet, is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time. The word was adapted from Italian minuetto and French menuet, and may have been from French menu meaning slender, small, referring to the very small steps, or from the early 17th-century popular...
– A–B–ATernary formTernary form, sometimes called song form, is a three-part musical form, usually schematicized as A-B-A. The first and third parts are musically identical, or very nearly so, while the second part in some way provides a contrast with them... - Andante – theme and 4 variationsVariation (music)In music, variation is a formal technique where material is repeated in an altered form. The changes may involve harmony, melody, counterpoint, rhythm, timbre, orchestration or any combination of these.-Variation form:...
- Minuet – with two different trios (i.e. A–B–A–C–A)
- Allegro – Sonata rondo formSonata rondo formSonata rondo form was a form of musical organization often used during the Classical music era. As the name implies, it is a blend of sonata form and rondo form.- Structure :...
Recorded performances of the Divertimento range from 41 to 50 minutes.
Critical reception
As Alfred Einstein writes in Mozart: His Character, His Work (and as excerpted in the notes to a Kennedy CenterJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
performance), his only completed string trio (there are fragments) shares with most divertimenti this six-movement format, but from that no lightness of tone should be understood – rather, "it is a true chamber-music work, and grew to such large proportions only because it was intended to offer ... something special in the way of art, invention, and good spirits. ... Each instrument is primus inter pares
Primus inter pares
Primus inter pares is Latin phrase describing the most senior person of a group sharing the same rank or office.When not used in reference to a specific title, it may indicate that the person so described is formally equal, but looked upon as an authority of special importance by their peers...
, every note is significant, every note is a contribution to spiritual and sensuous fulfillment in sound." Einstein called it "one of his noblest works."
Mozart's Divertimento in E-flat major is "one of a kind," according to the notes to an Emerson Quartet
Emerson String Quartet
The Emerson String Quartet is a New York–based string quartet in residence at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Previously the Quartet was in residence at The Hartt School. Formed in 1976, they have released more than twenty albums and won nine Grammy Awards. Both violinists...
performance. "It is not only Mozart's only finished composition for string trio – it also appears to be the first such work by any composer." Though probably the first substantial work for the combination, it is not the first work written for string trio; there were works for violin, viola and cello written at least five years earlier, by Wenzel Pichl
Wenzel Pichl
Wenzel Pichl was a classical Czech composer of the 18th Century. He was also a violinist, music director and writer....
, and works for two violins and bass, probably based on the trio sonata
Trio sonata
The trio sonata is a musical form that was popular in the 17th and early 18th centuries.A trio sonata is written for two solo melodic instruments and basso continuo, making three parts in all, hence the name trio sonata...
, written much before that.