Divertimento in F major, K.138 (125c) is a divertimento for string quartet composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart when he was 16 years old. Composed in Salzburg, K.136 to 138 are collectively known as the Salzburg Symphonies, and this is the third of the three.

Overview

The three divertimentos that begin with K.136 are representative works of Mozart, yet they are also pieces with many questions, and have sparked numerous controversies regarding instrumentation and other matters. These questions have now been almost completely resolved, and the controversies have subsided for the time being.

Also, there was a major error in the genre classification due to a mistake during the editing of the New Mozart Edition, which has led to strong misunderstandings and criticism.

Instrumentation and Details

• Instrumentation: 2 violin parts, viola, bass (cello)

• Date of composition: 1772

• Autograph manuscript: Owned by Albert von Ostermann (same as K.137)

• Structure:
  The piece is in three movements, with a total performance time of about 12 minutes.

  • 1st movement: Allegro, F major, 4/4 time, sonata form

  • 2nd movement: Andante, C major, 3/4 time, ternary form

  • 3rd movement: Presto, F major, 2/4 time, rondo form

The work has a three-movement structure of fast-slow-fast. The beginning of the theme of the first movement has a playful character like an opera buffa. The second movement is sung with delicate expression, and the third movement is a lively finale in rondo form with conspicuous contrapuntal treatment. Except for the use of rondo form in the final movement, the standard movement arrangement of K.136 has been chosen.

Source: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ディヴェルティメント_K.138 / License: CC BY-SA 4.0