b'Program NotescontinuedWolfgang Amadeus MozartBorn January 27, 1756, SalzburgDied December 5, 1791, ViennaDivertimento in D Major, K. 136 Composed 1772 in SalzburgPremiere Unknown InstrumentationStringsDuration 15 minutesMozart composed the set of three Divertimenti for string quartet, K. 136-8, during an extended stay at his family home in Salzburg at the beginning of 1772. By the age of sixteen, Mozart was already a highly accomplished composer, having traveled throughout Europe visiting the major centers of culture, where he performed and interacted with the leading composers of the day, absorbing the wide range of compositional styles he encountered. In addition to symphonies, masses, and sonatas for violin and piano, he had already written several operas, and you can hear that operatic influence in the D Major Divertimento.It is unclear who ascribed the name Divertimenti to this set of works, since the writing on the manuscript is not Mozarts. The term divertimento had a variety of meanings, though it generally implied a light, entertaining piece. These works were probably intended to be performed by a string quartet at social gatherings. Haydn wouldnt complete his groundbreaking Opus 20 quartets until later in 1772, so the genre of the string quartet as a more equal partnership between the four players had not yet been established. Unlike Haydns quartets, Mozarts Divertimenti have only three movements, with an order of fast, slow, fast. Their musical style is characterized by regular phrase structure, predominantly homophonic textures, balanced forms, and a generally cheerful affect. As a string player myself, I can attest that these pieces are a pure delight to play, filled with exuberant energy, humor, and just enough pathos to keep them interesting. princetonsymphony.org/ 14'