The first "Masterclass" features the String Quintet in B-flat Major, K.174 and perhaps the most famous of all Mozart Concertos, the Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622

The String Quintet was written in December of 1773. Like all of Mozart's string quintets, the ensemble features 2 violins, 2 violas and a cello. The work followed a few months after Mozart had composed his Vienna String Quartets K. 168-173.

One observer noted: If the obvious influence on Mozart's Quartet writing was Joseph Haydn, the most likely model for the quintets is Joseph's younger brother - and Mozart's Salzburg colleage - Michael Haydn.

The First, Third and Fourth movements follow below and is performed by the Grumiaux Ensemble.

1. Allegro Moderato


3. Menuetto ma allegretto (autograph)


4. Allegro



The Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622 was one of Mozart's last works, and his last instrumental one as he died in the December following its completion. The concerto is frequently described as "autumnal" due to the Lyrical Adagio and the emotive passages in minor keys in the outer movements. It is without a doubt the second movement for which this concerto is most famous, if perhaps only allowing people to recognize Mozart as the composer, the same occurs with Eine Kleine Nachtmusic and parts of his Requiem Mass in D minor.

The concerto is notable for its delicate interplay between soloist and orchestra, and for the lack of overly extroverted display on the part of the soloist (no cadenzas are written out in the solo part).

The concerto was given its premiere by Anton Stadler in Prague on October 16, 1791. The famous second is below and the third movement can be seen here:

2. Adagio


The concerto is performed by Carelys Carreras, (Cuba) with the Vienna Philharmonic Women's Orchestra conducted by Izabella Shareyko.

Till next Class, enjoy.