Rondo from the Posthorn Serenade, K320

From Wind Repertory Project
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (arr. Ted R. Marcus)


Subtitle: for Clarinet, Alto Saxophone and Band

General Info

Year: 1779 / 2005
Duration: c. 6:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Ted R. Marcus
Cost: Score and Parts - $45.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
Solo B-flat Soprano Clarinet
Solo E-flat Alto Saxophone
C Flutes
Oboes
Bb Clarinet 1-2-3
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
Eb Contra-Alto Clarinet (optional alternate for String Bass)
Bassoons
E-flat Alto Saxophone
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
Bb Trumpet 1-2-3
Horn in F 1-2-3-4
Trombone 1-2-3
Euphonium (Bass Clef)
Baritone (Treble Clef)
Tuba
String Bass
Bells
Timpani

Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

Serenade (an "evening song") usually suggests a love song sung and played by one person. But in 18th-century Salzburg, Austria, a serenade was an extended orchestral suite that enhanced the festive mood of an outdoor evening celebration. Mozart most likely wrote the "Posthorn" Serenade (No. 9 in D Major, K. 320) for the festivities marking the end of the 1779 academic year at the University of Salzburg. This event included the tradition of a student orchestra performing specially-commissioned "Final Music," first for the ruling Archbishop at his summer palace and later for their professors at the University.

Mozart's "Final Music" has seven movements, scored for a large orchestra. (He later repackaged three of the movements into a symphony.) The "Posthorn" nickname comes from the use of a posthorn– a horn played to announce the arrival of a mail coach– in the second of two minuet movements.

The "Posthorn" Serenade's fourth movement is a light and charming Rondo. Mozart wrote it as a concertante piece for the orchestra's woodwind section featuring the first flute and first oboe, accompanied by two horns and strings. This version is for clarinet and alto saxophone soloists with concert band. Mozart wrote a clarinet concerto and a quintet for clarinet and strings, and used a pair of clarinets in his later symphonies. But he never wrote for the saxophone. That instrument wasn't invented until 1846, 55 years after Mozart's death.


- Program note by Ted R. Marcus

Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

  • Peninsula Symphonic Winds (Joanne Davidson, clarinet; Joe Siegel, saxophone; Ted R. Marcus, guest conductor) - 15 June 2008
  • Peninsula Symphonic Winds (Bill Ailor, clarinet; Joe Siegel saxophone; Joel Fierberg, guest conductor) - 13 May 2012


Works for Winds by This Composer

Adaptable Music


All Wind Works


Resources

None discovered thus far.