Mozart: Flute Quartet No. 1 KV 285

Of the three “Mannheim” flute quartets, that in D major K 285, is probably the best-known. Commissioned by the Dutch music-lover De Jean, it is concertante in character throughout: in the virtuoso opening movement, in the arioso central section and in the exuberant closing Rondeau the flute is treated as a solo instrument. The autograph manuscript has been classified as lost since 1945. According to the Kchel Catalogue it bore the original dating “Mannheim il 25 dec.1777”. The dynamics and articulation provided by the sources are extremely sparse. In this respect the present edition for flute and piano largely follows the source material. The purpose of this arrangement is to enrich the flautist s repertoire by a masterpiece from Mozarts chamber music.