Mozart - Haffner Serenade, Divertimento No.6 - Josef Suk, Libor Hlavacek (1988)
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Genre: Classical

The work is fairly lengthy and its artistic value goes far beyond what was normally to be found in such occasional works at that time. Even in the very first part, which is in sonata form, the work seems to be symphonic. The other "odd number" movements, the third, fifth and seventh, are composed as Minuets. The first Minuet in G minor includes a typically Mozartian tragic "memento" which interrupts the joyful mood; the second is refined and graceful; the third festive. The second and fourth sections remind us of the middle and final movements of a violin concerto; the sixth, an Andante, is the ingenious arrangement of a Lied theme. In the final movement of the Serenade, elements of a buffonesque finale are to be heard and the work ends with the musical representation of hearty congratulations. The Serenade was probably not performed at the time as a continuous piece. It is likely that the various movements were interrupted by toasts and speeches. According to one of the guests present, the piece was played in the garden - background to a pleasant summer afternoon. The title Divertimento, (K. 188) is not authentic. It seems that Mozart was commissioned to write this suite-like work by his employer, Archbishop Colloredo, who demanded an archaic instrumentation. The work was composed in the middle of 1773. The graceful melodic ideas are carried by two flutes; the trumpets (clarino trumpets) take on the role (together with the timpani) of providing a harmonic background. The restraint of these instruments to the task of mere accompaniment is seen by Mozart experts as a reflection of the times where a regression in the soloistic use of these instruments, so popular in the Baroque era, took place. Josef Suk (1929) is the direct heir of the musical genius of two great Czech composers -Antonin Dvorak and Josef Suk - from whom he is directly descended. Since 1960 he has won the Grand Prix of the Parisian Charles Cros Academy four times; and from this time he is soloist with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1972 he was awarded the Edison Prize for his recording of J. S. Bach's Sonatas and Partitas, and in 1974 he received the "Wiener Flotenuhr" for his recording of Mozart's Violin Concertos. Since 1980 he is a Professor at the Vienna Academy of Music.

Tracklist:
1. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - I. Allegro maestoso - Allegro molto
2. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - II. Andante
3. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - III. Menuetto
4. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - IV. Rondo - Allegro
5. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - V. Menuetto galante
6. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - VI. Andante
7. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - VII. Menuetto
8. Serenade No.7 in D major - Haffner, K.250 - VIII. Adagio - Allegro assai
9. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - I. Thema andante
10. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - II. Allegro
11. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - III. Menuetto
12. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - IV. Andante
13. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - V. Menuetto
14. Divertimento No.6 in C major for Two Flutes, Five Trumpets & Timpani, K.188 - VI. Gavotta

Josef Suk, Violin
Prague Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Libor Hlavácek
Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble