Rather than adding a horn to the conventional string quartet formation, Mozart scored this quintet for horn, violin, two violas and cello, a configuration which emphasises the darker and richer middle voices. Although he distributes the material between the instruments, at times this three-movement work seems more like a concerto for horn. He was writing for his friend, the Austrian virtuoso horn-player Joseph Leutgeb who, like Mozart, worked for the Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg's musical establishment.
Recorded 12 July 2020 in St Andrew's on The Terrace, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw
Engineer: Darryl Stack