PROGRAM NOTES

VIOLA QUINTET IN G MINOR, K. 516

The G Minor Viola Quintet, K. 516,like the C Major, K. 515, finished the month before, are Mozart at the peak of his powers. The G minor Quintet, like the G Minor Symphony # 40 written a year later are both sorrowful works. In the case of the Viola Quintet, even the Menuetto is hardly danceable. This is the only one of the six Quintets that is in five movements. The final movement (Allegro) follows a slow cavatina which is really its introduction. It is this final movement that breaks through the clouds and makes us forget all the sadness that came before.

VIOLA QUINTET IN C MINOR, K. 406

The C minor Quintet was originally a serenade (K. 388 for two oboes, two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons.) Originally composed in 1782, possibly for Prince Alois Lichtenstein or else as part of a projected set for King Frederick William II in the...
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Intro, Outro, and all introductions to pieces are self-contained. Timing sheet is available for download below.