Mozart: Wind Serenade, KV. 361 "Gran Partita"

There is an air of mystery about Mozart’s Serenade No.10 KV 361: the date, place and occasion of its composition are uncertain, as is the identity of the one who gave it the nickname ‘Gran Partita’. Recent scholarship dates it to Mozart’s early Viennese period, around 1783–4.
Articulated in seven movements, the work belongs to the genre of Harmoniemusik: entertainment music that was in vogue in the second half of the 18th century named for the courtly wind ensemble of pairs of woodwinds plus horns, called Harmonie or Harmonieorchester in German-speaking countries.
The genre featured a few characteristic forms – the Serenades, the Divertimenti, and the Cassations – which could be performed outdoors (due to the instruments’ power of projection) and featured numerous movements like the older dance suites or partitas as opposed to the usual four of symphonies. Serenade No.10 is a special case, however: the instrumentation is enriched by a pair of alto clarinets (basset horns), the number of horns is doubled to two in F and two in low B-flat, and unusually a double bass joins the bassoons creating a more ‘symphonic’ character.
The work’s third movement, an Adagio, is one of the acknowledged masterpieces of Mozart’s art. It is well known to the general public for its inclusion in an unforgettable scene in the film Amadeus where, quoting the beginning of the Adagio, an elderly Antonio Salieri and believes he recognizes ‘the voice of God’ in the entrances of the oboe and clarinet.

Other information:
- Recorded December 2023 in Bernareggio, Italy
- Bilingual booklet in English and Italian contains liner notes by Ugo Nastrucci

- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Gran Partita, KV 361, is one of the most remarkable works for wind ensemble ever composed. Written between 1781 and 1784, this serenade in B-flat major consists of seven movements, and is scored for an unusually large ensemble of 13 instruments: 12 winds (pairs of oboes, clarinets, basset horns, bassoons, and horns) and a double bass. This expanded instrumentation allows for rich textures and an orchestral depth rarely found in wind music of the time.
- The Gran Partita is celebrated for its expressive range, blending elegance, playfulness, and profound emotion. The slow third movement, Adagio, is particularly famous for its hauntingly beautiful oboe and clarinet melodies, a moment immortalized in the film Amadeus as an example of Mozart’s genius. The lively Menuettos, the intricate variations of the Tema con variazioni, and the brilliant Finale show his masterful handling of wind timbres. With this masterwork Mozart elevated a genre traditionally associated with light entertainment into a work of profound artistry and innovation.
- Played by the Soloists of the Italian Orchestra of the Scala of Milan, in each note expressing their love for this iconic work.