Mozart: Horn Concerto in E-flat major, K.417

Introduction

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat major, K. 417 was completed in 1783.

This is one of two horn concerti of Mozart to omit bassoons.^[1] It is also one of Mozart's two horn concerti to have ripieno horns (horns included in the orchestra besides the soloist), though in contrast to K. 495, the solo horn in this one does not duplicate the first ripieno horn's part in the tutti passages.

Mozart's good-natured ribbing of his friend is evident in the manuscript inscription "W. A. Mozart took pity on Leitgeb, ass, ox and fool in Vienna on 27 May 1783."

Structure

The work is in three movements:

1. Allegro maestoso
2. Andante
3. Rondo Più allegro 6/8

Discography

Given its duration (no more than 20 minutes), the Concerto is typically grouped with Mozart's other 3 for the instrument. The foremost example is Dennis Brain's November 1953 recording of the four horn concertos on EMI with The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan.