Ensemble Zefiro Photo: Andrea Rognoni
Mozart’s autograph score for this piece of Harmoniemusik survives in Krakow’s Biblioteka Jagiellońska and is undated, although it seems likely that the work was composed in Salzburg sometime between the summer of 1775 and the start of 1777.
It is one of a series of wind divertimenti for pairs of oboes, horns and bassoons probably written for Mozart’s employer, Prince-Archbishop Hieronymus von Colloredo, possibly as Tafelmusik.
Commencing with an Andante in 6/8 time, followed by a Minuet and Trio, the work’s third movement is – rather unusually for Mozart – a Polonaise. The lively Presto assai that rounds off the divertimento is based on the traditional Austrian tune 'Die Katze lässt das Mausen nicht'.
The members of Ensemble Zefiro are: Alfredo Bernardini (oboe), Paolo Grazzi (oboe), Dileno Baldin (horn), Francesco Meucci (horn), Alberto Grazzi (bassoon), Giorgio Mandolesi (bassoon).
Recorded in Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington by RNZ
Sound engineer: Graham Kennedy
