Horn Quintet (Mozart)
The Horn Quintet in E-flat major, K. 407/386c, is a chamber work composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, likely around 1782. Despite being titled a "Quintet," the work is scored for horn, violin, two violas, and cello, rather than the typical string quartet plus horn format.
The composition consists of three movements:
- Allegro
- Andante
- Rondo (Allegro)
The Allegro movement is in sonata form, showcasing a lyrical melody and interplay between the horn and string instruments. The Andante provides a contrasting serene and elegant mood. The concluding Rondo is a lively and cheerful movement, characterized by its memorable main theme and virtuosic writing for the horn.
The horn part, although technically demanding, is tailored to the capabilities of the natural horn of Mozart's time. This meant that the player had to rely on hand-stopping techniques to produce different notes within the harmonic series.
The Horn Quintet is a significant and beloved work in the horn repertoire, appreciated for its melodic beauty, elegant writing, and the skillful integration of the horn within the string ensemble. It exemplifies Mozart's mastery of chamber music composition. The piece is frequently performed and recorded, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of horn chamber music.