Serenade Kv 361

The Serenade Kv. 361 , known as Gran Partita in major B flat, is a work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for thirteen wind instruments in seven movements.

Its genesis remains discussed: the partition carries the date of 1780, but the inscription is not hand of the musician. It erases moreover one older date (1777). Its title Gran Partita does not come either from the type-setter. Oldest mention of its execution dated March 23rd 1784. It seems that in fact, its composition is contemporary of that of its opera Removal with the seraglio which goes back to 1781. The first edition, going back to 1803, posterior in died of Mozart. One however has a manuscript autograph whose facsimile was published only in 1978.

Its destination remains also mysterious: gift for its wife with whom it Marie in 1782? concerts in the open air? conceived to like the Great Elector of Bavaria at the court of Munich? bound for freemasonry, fond of delicacies of wind instruments?

Work is made up makes some for a double quartet forming octuor wind instruments: two Oboe, two Clarinet S, two Bassoon S, two horn S, to which he adds two basset horns, two additional horns and a Contrebasson or a Contrebasse. This type of formation remains exceptional in Mozart, and the other type-setters besides. It is noted that the basset horn is an instrument of very recent design (years 1760) and that Mozart will use it thereafter in several parts of which its Requiem .

The part is also characterized by its width and does of it one of the longest nonvocal compositions of the musician (nearly 50 minutes). It is composed of seven parts:

• Largo - molto allegro
• Minuet
• Adagio
• Minuet
• Final Lovesong
• Tema idiot variazioni