?Because I only need four parts to express everything? Haydn is said to have replied thus when asked why he had not composed a string quintet. Mozart saw things differently. He applied himself to this genre sixtimes even giving important parts to the two Violas. Following Volume II which contains the three most often played quintets we warmly recommend Mozart?s first Quintet K. 174 to ensembles (the 3rd andfinal volume was published in 2008). The editors were able to refer to the autograph which is once again accessible. It shows Mozart?s intensive compositional work resulting in the fact that he composed the minuet andfinale of the work a second time. The first version of both movements is included in the appendix of our edition enabling insightful comparisons.

Par PLEYEL IGNAZ. The Quintet in G minor belongs to the first group of three quintets written by Ignaz Pleyel in 1785 and published for the first time in 1786. Of all his quintets, it was the most frequently published one and was available in various editions even during Pleyel's lifetime. The modern character of this piece shows in the 'new kind' of compositional technique and elaboration of the themes, as presented by Joseph Haydn for the first time in 1781 in his String Quartets Op. 33. As with Haydn, the modern compositional style shows in the thematic work of the development which is mainly derived from the main theme. Particularly impressive is the elaboration of the theme by imitation, sequencing, shortening, rhythmic and tonal changes as well as by inversion./ Répertoire / 2 Violons, 2 Altos et Violoncelle