CS 1.6

A mere dozen or so printed viola concertos are known of from the Viennese Classical era, contrasting with countless violin, cello, and flute concertos. There can be only one explanation for this: there were relatively few players available of truly virtuoso ability. Alongside two emblematic viola concertos of the time, those by Hoffmeister and Stamitz, this album includes the 1802 transcription for viola of Mozart’s A major clarinet concerto.

The three concertos featured on this album were composed together in 1782 / 83 – shortly after Mozart had left his patron and position in Salzburg to establish himself as a freelance composer and performer in Vienna. The concertos were all performed by the composer in a series of subscription concerts that he gave in the city. All share the same form – opening movement in sonata form, slow movement in ternary form, and a bright rondo finale.