Mozart’s String Quintet No. 4 in G minor, K. 516 is like all of Mozart’s string quintets a “viola quintet” in that it is scored for string quartet and an extra viola (that is, two violins, two violas, and cello). The mood of the piece is dark and melancholic, typical of Mozart’s G minor works.
The work was completed on May 16, 1787, less than a month after the completion of his C major Quintet, K. 515.
This would not be the last time that a great pair of C major/G minor works of the same form would be published in close proximity and assigned consecutive Köchel numbers.
The following year, the 40th (G minor) and 41st (C major) symphonies would be completed within a few weeks of each other.
Here is a performance of the string quintet KV516:
