The first version of this Serenade featured pairs of clarinets, horns, and bassoons, but within a short while the Viennese court established a wind octet which added oboes to this line-up. In his haste (as the autograph manuscript reveals) Mozart rewrote the work, introducing structural changes and skilfully integrating oboes into the score.
Doubtless Mozart was anxious to display his abilities to the emperor in the hope of a permanent appointment at the court, since he had broken off relations with the Archbishop of Salzburg, his former employer.
In overall layout of the serenade follows early Haydn examples: a slow movement framed by two minuets, and the whole work is framed by two fast movements.
Here are members of the Berlin Philharmonic to play this great music for you:
