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Divertimento in B flat major K. 137
A substantial part of Mozart’s oeuvre consists of works that may be called “entertainment music”. Most of these pieces were composed for festive occasions in Salzburg, such as name days, birthdays, New Year’s festivities, weddings, or traditional celebrations at the conclusion of the academic year. There are indications that a number of them were meant to be played out-of-doors, in a rustic garden setting with party guests enjoying a drink or a meal. Many of the easy-going works were labelled “Divertimento”, others “Serenade”, “Cassation” or “Notturno”. There is no sharp dividing line between these genres, although divertimenti were generally meant for performance by a relatively small ensemble, while the other terms could imply orchestral performance. All music of this entertaining type is characterised by a loose multi-movement structure and a relaxed gait. Moments of dramatic tension, as they so often appear in symphonies or quartets, are absent, save for a few exceptions. Dance-like rhythms prevail and harmonies are kept within the conventional boundaries of popular music.
Most of Mozart’s Divertimenti and Serenades were composed in the 1770s when the young composer was still in the service of the Archbishop of Salzburg. (The B flat Divertimento K. 137 was written in Salzburg in early 1772.) In general, these were depressing years for the ever-ambitious and energetic Mozart, who at an early age had visited the major courts and capitals of Europe. He realized that the cultural climate in his native city was anything but beneficial for an artist of his calibre, and he felt that in the provincial Salzburg his talent was stifled. “There’s is no room here for someone like me,” he sadly wrote to his teacher Martini in Italy, “and music is not at all appreciated here.” Mozart’s music of this nature was welcomed for many social purposes in Salzburg, both indoors and outdoors. The light, entertaining character was appreciated by the many Liebhaber (musical amateurs) that crowded the town, and Mozart enhanced the diverting spirit by using folk-like theme types and keeping harmonies and forms extremely simple. Nevertheless, he succeeded in creating a balance between grace and decorum on one side, and subtle innovations on the other, and these artistic challenges resulted in a stylistic conglomerate that was to fascinate both Liebhaber and musical connoisseurs. An important formal procedure for bridging these different levels was the regular introduction of concertante writing. Mozart was a great composer, but he was also a performing musician of great skill. He often played the violin, having been instructed by his father. It may be assumed that at some occasions Mozart played the solo passages of these pieces himself.
Programme note by Jos van der Zanden. © Brilliant Classics
Mozart: Divertimento K. 137
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