Mozart Divertimento K. 334 for Viola and Piano

Описание: Divertimento K443 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arranged by Samuel Rhodes
I. Allegro

James Preucil, viola
Katherine Petersen, piano

Mozart’s 17th Divertimento was probably written in celebration of his friend graduating from Law School. Mozart was 23 at the time of its composition and although it was a rough period in his life (due to the passing of his mother), he continued to produce fine works to lift his own spirits as well as those of others around him. Although it is written simply in the classical sonata form (two themes which are developed and then recapitulated), Mozart as always finds his way to insert a handful of clever and witty moments, such as the accelerating grace notes which unexpectedly become the recapitulation.

My teacher, Samuel Rhodes, wrote this arrangement in 2018 with the goal of adding a Mozart work to the viola repertoire. Violists only have two original works written for them by Mozart: the Sinfonia Concertante and the Kegelstatt Trio, neither of which even exclusively features the viola as the main focus. I saw my teacher perform this work in March and I recognized its value as a cheerful, humorous, and upbeat piece which I immediately wanted to share with others.