Serenade In E-Flat Major K.375

The Serenade in E-flat, K.375, exists in two versions, one for two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons, and another for the same forces plus two oboes, forming an octet.

From Mozart himself we know a fair amount aboutthe occasion that led to the first, six-instrument version of this work and about its early performances. Written for the sister-in-law of the court painter Hickl, it probably originated toward the end of September or thebeginning of October in 1781 and was first performed on 15 October, the name-day of St. Theresa.

The octet version probably arose in the summer of the following year. It is far more than a mechanical expansion of thesextetwith the oboes merely reinforcing the clarinets colla parte. Not only did Mozart take advantage of the occasion to make changes in the articulation and the dynamics, he also altered the work’s melodic substance andformal design. The two additional high-register instruments allowed him to achieve more subtle distinctions and gradations of timbre, thereby enabling him, for example, to vary the timbral homogeneity of the two clarinets. Theopportunity arose to divide melodic phrases among the clarinets and oboes or to make them more brilliant and incisive by doubling them at the unison or octave.

– scored for Oboe (2), Clarinet (in B-flat) (2), Horn (2),Bassoon (2)

– Urtext of the New Mozart Edition

– Parts (BA5333) and study score both versions format 22.5 x 16.5cm (TP315) available for sale