CIX. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello, K. 370

CIX. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello, K. 370 (1781)
1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Rondeau: Allegro
Alexei Ogrintchouk, oboe
Baiba Skride, violin
Veronika Hagen, viola
Sol Gabetta, cello
(14:31)

Mozart was visiting Munich when he ran into an old acquaintance, the oboe virtuoso, Friedrich Ramm. Recent improvements to the instrument inspired Mozart to write this quartet.

Mozart's genius is evident from the first notes. The oboe swirls around a delicate accompaniment of just three strings, which supports the solo part, but also continually interweaves with it.

First Movement

Second Movement

A short Adagio, only 37 bars long, is achingly beautiful. Notice how Mozart begins in the Relative Minor (D Minor), but lands on the work's home key's (F Major) Subdominant Major (B-Flat) by the 12th bar!

Third Movement

A typical delightful Rondo, the feathery sound of the oboe accompanied by simple string support feels like a walk through a beautiful green forest.

If there are any still around.