Little Serenade by W. A. Mozart

Little Serenade by W. A. Mozart

"The fact that the sparrows whistle from the rooftops does not change the quality of this casual piece from a light but happy hand."
Wolfgang Hildesheimer
Eine kleine Nachtmusik - “A Little Serenade” is the most popular piece of instrumental music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), and was composed during an especially happy period of his life. It was completed in Vienna on the 10th of August, 1787 when Mozart was at the zenith of his career as an opera composer and was simultaneously working on his famous Don Giovanni. The title comes from an entry made into his personal catalog, which was likely meant as more of a note than an actual title, but it has stuck nonetheless. It is often translated literally but less accurately as “a little night music” into English. It was not officially published until 1827 and likely originated from a personal commission. The work is one of the treasures in Mozart's oeuvre, which blends radiance and natural simplicity with brilliant refinement. Likewise, the original score of this masterpiece captivates with balanced clarity and beautiful writing.