Mozart: String Quintet No.2 in C minor, K.406/516b

Introduction

The String Quintet No. 2 in C minor, K. 406/516b, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1787, a transcription of his earlier Serenade No. 12, K. 388, for wind octet. Like all of Mozart's string quintets, it is a "viola quintet" in that it is scored for string quartet and an extra viola (two violins, two violas and cello).

Movements

The work is in standard four movement form:

• I. Allegro C in C minor
• II. Andante 3/8 in E-flat major
• III. Menuetto in canone 3/4 in C minor, with Trio in canone al roverscio in C major
• IV. Allegro 2/4 in C minor (ending in C major)