Divertimento [antikvár]

MOZART, DIVERTIMENTO IN D MAJOR (KOCHEL No. 334) The D major Divertimento (Köchel 334) belongs to the period following Mozart's Paris journey (probably 1779), when his creative faculties assumed a higher aspect. In contrast to the style of Serenade intended as open air music, JVIo-zart's Divertimenti, and this work in particular, approach the type of early classical chamber music, the string quartet. The soloistic element retires still further into the background, whilst the bass and inner parts play a more prominent part in the general construction of the composition. It is true, in the present Divertimento, that the first violin is treated here and there like a solo instrument, as in the prolonged final Rondo, and is detached from the general instrumental scheme, as in the middle movements. But, to some extent in the second Minuet, and above all in the Variations we find typical chamber music, amongst which must also be counted the opening Allegro in strict Sonata form. The set of Vari- ations surpasses all the other movements in wealth of expression and careful construction. The key of D minor itself, which with Mozart always announces an intensified sphere of thought, (as also do the keys of G minor and Eflat major) lends a pessimistic character to the whole, which at times touches the supernatural through the quality of the theme diffused by variations. This is specially obvious in the 3rd and 6th variations. The famous first Minuet and the well contrasted Rondo instance a return to the world of grace and pleasure. The revision of ihe new edition was undertaken from the form of the work found in the complete collection (Series IX No. 31). An autograph copy no longer exists. The grace notes were, in order to retain the Mozartean music picture, left in their original form. Only the frequent tonal group J^ J J-J was resolved into its actual values: j J J J. Rudolf Gerber