Wolfgang Amadé Mozart

1756

Salzburg

– 1791

Wien

Divertimento in D major KV 136

Date of composition: 1772
Scoring: For 2 violins, viola, cello
Duration: 18 minutes
On December 15, 1771, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father Leopold returned to Salzburg from their second trip to Italy. Just one day after their arrival, the Archbishop of Salzburg, Siegmund von Schrattenbach, a significant patron of Mozart, passed away. He was succeeded by Hieronymus von Colloredo, under whose stricter regime the conditions for the Mozart family changed notably. Colloredo appointed an Italian maestro di cappella and restricted the Mozarts’ extensive travels, which compelled Wolfgang to increase his compositional output. During this period, he primarily composed symphonies, divertimenti, and solo concertos, specifically meant for the evening concerts at the court.
The “Salzburg Divertimenti” KV 136-138, composed by Mozart in 1772, are among the first works from this prolific phase. They reflect the new court culture under Colloredo, who was an accomplished violinist himself and liked to join his musicians during performances. The Divertimento in D major, KV 136, perfectly illustrates this context: it is virtuosically composed for violins, yet accessible enough not to overwhelm the archbishop. The Italian style, which Mozart had embraced during his travels, characterizes the piece and is evident in the lively Allegro, the melodic Andante, and the dance-like Finale. This piece not only pays homage to Colloredo’s musical tastes but also showcases Mozart’s ability to incorporate diverse cultural influences into his music.

Performances of

Divertimento in D major KV 136
No performances of this work are currently scheduled.
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