Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus: Serenade No. 10 in B-Flat Major, K. 361, "Gran Partita"

Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 in B flat major, K. 361, also known as the “Gran Partita”, is one of his most important works for wind ensemble. It was written around 1781 (the exact date is not certain) and consists of seven movements, including the famous Adagio, which plays a central role in Peter Shaffer’s play Amadeus.

The work is written for an unusually large wind ensemble: two oboes, two clarinets, two basset horns, four horns, two bassoons and a double bass. It is characterized by its melodic beauty, harmonic sophistication and emotional depth. The Adagio in particular is often described as one of Mozart’s most moving pieces of music.

The Gran Partita is not just a serenade in the classical sense, but a work of symphonic dimensions that makes impressive use of the possibilities of a wind ensemble.

Around 1781, when Mozart composed the Gran Partita, he was in a decisive phase of his life. He had just given up his position as concertmaster at the court of Salzburg Archbishop Hieronymus von Colloredo and had moved to Vienna to work as a freelance composer and musician.

In Vienna, the composer looked for new opportunities to develop musically. He performed regularly as a pianist, composed numerous works and established contacts with important personalities in the Viennese music scene. His meeting with Constanze Weber, whom he later married, was particularly influential.

This period was also characterized by financial insecurity, as Mozart could no longer rely on a fixed salary. Nevertheless, he composed some of his most important works in this time, including the opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail.