Octet in E-Flat Major, Op. 20

for two Oboes 2 Clarinets 2 Horns and 2 Bassoons-The Serenade in E-flat K.375 exists in two versions one for two clarinets two horns and two bassoons and another for the same forces plus two oboes forming an octet.From Mozart himself we know a fair amount about the occasion that led to the first six-instrument version of this work and about its early performances. Written for the sister-in-law of the court painter Hickl it probably originated toward the end of September or the beginning of October in 1781 and was first performed on 15 October the name-day of St. Theresa.The octet version probably arose in the summer of the following year. It is far more than a mechanical expansion of the sextetwith the oboes merely reinforcing the clarinets colla parte. Not only did Mozart take advantage of the occasion to make changes in the articulation and the dynamics he also altered the work’s melodic substance and formal design. The two additional high-register instruments allowed him to achieve more subtle distinctions and gradations of timbre thereby enabling him for example to vary the timbral homogeneity of the two clarinets. The opportunity arose to divide melodic phrases among the clarinets and oboes or to make them more brilliant and incisive by doubling them at the unison or octave.- scored for Oboe (2) Clarinet (in B-flat) (2) Horn (2) Bassoon (2)- Urtext of the New Mozart Edition- Parts (BA5333) and study score both versions format 22.5 x 16.5cm (TP315) available for sale

Version For Solo Cello and Tape-Cello Counterpoint is scored for eight Cellos and can be played by a soloist with the other parts pre-recorded (This tape is available from the Boosey & Hawkes rental library.) Alternatively the piece can be played by a Cello Octet. (There are differences in the distribution of parts between the two versions.) The piece is in three movements: fast slow fast. The first and last movements are both based on a similar four-chord cycle that moves ambiguously back and forth between C minor and E-flat major. This harmonic cycle is treated extremely freely particularly in the third movement. The second slow movement is a canon in E-flat minorinvolving near the end of the movement seven separate voices. The piece is a little more than 11 minutes in duration and was co-commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation in the Library of Congress the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and Leiden University for Cellist Maya Beiser.