Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Oboe Quartet In F Major, K. 370

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Drawing of Mozart in silverpoint, made by Doris Stock during Mozart's visit to Dresden, April 1789

Mozart is sometimes berated as being the ear candy of conservative classical radio stations. However one need only listen to this splendid music to appreciate the genius of the man anew. These are works of uncommon beauty and elegance, and yet they also contain an enormous emotional range. There is a soulfulness about them that is of uncommon appeal.

Mozart composed his oboe quartet K. 370 for the young Mannheim oboist Friedrich Ramm who was appointed to the court orchestra there when a mere fourteen years old. The delicacy and fluidity of Ramm’s playing is what led the composer to in effect write a chamber concerto for the youthful virtuoso. Sewn throughout with sunny singable melodies, it is a work of buoyant optimism and charm. This is a tight and spirited performance with some amazingly fleet passagework by oboist Joris van den Hauwe. The performance is marred slightly by some questionable intonation from the strings, but on the whole, it is a rendition that has more delights than detriments.

Oboe Quartet in F (K370) - Allegro (6:34)
Oboe Quartet in F (K370) - Adagio (3:22)
Oboe Quartet in F (K370) - Rondeau (4:10)