Horn Quintet (Mozart)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Horn Quintet, K. 407 (386c), was written in 1782 for the soloist Joseph Leutgeb. The work calls for one French horn, one violin, two violas and one cello, differing from the usual two violins with the conventional string quartet.[1][2]

Horn Quintet in E-flat major
by W. A. Mozart
The composer in 1782
KeyE-flat major
CatalogueK. 407
GenreChamber Music
StyleClassical period
Composed1782 (1782)
MovementsThree (Allegro, Andante, Rondo - Allegro)
Scoring

Structure

The work consists of three movements, Allegro, Andante, Rondo Allegro with a usual duration of around 17 minutes. The use of two viola parts is said give the work a deeper sound, which matches the range of the soloist.[3][4]

History

Written in Vienna soon after Mozart's marriage, around the same time as the composition of The Abduction from the Seraglio. This is the first item written for Mozart's friend, the cheesemonger Joseph Leutgeb. His instrument lacked valves as in the modern French horn. The finale makes virtuosic demands on the soloist. The later horn solo pieces for an ageing Leutgeb by Mozart show lesser demands on the soloist.[5] The work was first published by Breitkopf & Härtel in 1883. As the original autograph score is lost, modern performances are based on the first edition.[6][2]

Sarah Willis of the Berlin Philharmonic includes the piece on her "Trio!" album, in the form of a piano-violin-horn trio, with Cordelia Hofer and Kotowa Machida.

References
  1. Eric Bromberger. "Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K. 407". Los Angeles Philharmonic. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  2. "Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K.407/386c (Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus)". IMSLP - Petrucci Music Library. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  3. Kai Christiansen. "Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K. 407 (386c) (for violin, 2 violas, cello and horn)". earsense. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  4. Sally Odom. "Oboe Quartet, Horn Quintet & other works". Hyperion. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  5. "Mozart Horn Quintet in E flat, K. 407". Fugueforthought. 11 March 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  6. "Horn Quintet in E-flat Major K. 407 (386c)". SheetMusicPlus. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
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