Mozart: Divertimento in E-flat major, K.563

Introduction

The Divertimento in E-flat major, K. 563, is a string trio, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1788, the year in which he completed his last three symphonies and his "Coronation" Piano Concerto. It is widely regarded as separate from his other divertimenti.

The work was completed in Vienna on September 27, 1788, and is dedicated to Michael Puchberg, a fellow Freemason, who lent money to Mozart. The premiere was in Dresden on April 13, 1789 with Anton Teyber taking the violin part, Mozart playing viola and Antonín Kraft playing cello.^[1] At the time Mozart was conducting a tour of German cities, on his way to Berlin; see Mozart's Berlin journey.

Movements

1. Allegro (E-flat major, sonata form, 4/4)
2. Adagio (A-flat major, sonata form, 3/4)
3. Menuetto (Allegro) – Trio (E-flat major, ternary form, 3/4)
4. Andante (B-flat major, theme and 4 variations, with the third variation in B-flat minor, 2/4)
5. Menuetto (Allegretto)– Trio I – Trio II (E-flat major, rondo form, with the first trio in A-flat major and the second trio in B-flat major, 3/4)
6. Allegro (E-flat major, sonata rondo form, 6/8)

Recorded performances of the Divertimento range from 41 to 50 minutes.