A post horn, for which this serenade is nicknamed

The Serenade for Orchestra No. 9 in D major K. 320, Posthorn, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg, in 1779. The manuscript is dated 3 August 1779 and was intended for the University of Salzburg's "Finalmusik" ceremony that year.[1]

The serenade is scored for 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, post horn, timpani and strings. It has seven movements:

  1. Adagio maestoso – Allegro con spirito
  2. Minuetto
  3. Concertante: Andante grazioso in G major
  4. Rondeau: Allegro ma non troppo in G major
  5. Andantino in D minor
  6. Minuetto – Trio 1 and 2
  7. Finale: Presto

The Concertante and Rondeau movements feature prominent concertante sections for flutes, oboes, and bassoons. These were performed on their own in a concert in the old Vienna Burgtheater on 23 March 1783, along with the Haffner symphony, an aria from Idomeneo, and several other works.[2]

The first trio of the second minuet features a solo piccolo (called "flautino" in the manuscript) played over strings. The second trio of the second minuet features a solo for the post horn. This solo gives the serenade its nickname.

A typical performance lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Notes

  1. ↑ Sadie, Stanley. Mozart: The Early Years, 1756–1781, pp. 503–505, New York: W.W. Norton & Co. (2006) ISBN 0-393-06112-4.
  2. ↑ "Mozart's concert at the Burgtheater, Vienna: 23 March 1783", Mozart & Material Culture
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