Mozart: Flute and Harp Concerto in C major, K 299/297c (with Score)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra in C major, K. 299/297c (with Score)
Composed: 1778
Flute: Susan Palma
Harp: Nancy Allen
Orchestra: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
00:00 1. Allegro (C major)
10:06 2. Andantino (F major)
17:49 3. Rondeau. Allegro (C major)
At the end of March 1778, Mozart and his mother, Maria Anna, finally arrived in Paris after a prolonged stay in Mannheim (where Mozart had fallen in love with Aloysia Weber). On April 5 Maria Anna reported to Leopold (who had to remain in Salzburg) that Wolfgang had received a commission from the flute-playing Duke of Guines and his harpist daughter, who was taking music lessons from the composer. The commission, for a concerto for flute and harp, could hardly have inspired the young composer, who professed a dislike for both solo instruments and generally despised French musical taste, but he delivered the concerto dutifully. The combination of flute and harp, moreover, is a difficult one; "as a duo," notes writer Ethan Mordden, "they sound like a nymph going bonkers in a plashing spring." In spite of all this, however, the work is often played and is a perennial crowd-pleaser. Orchestras have few other opportunties to put their harpists on display in a concerto. Like almost everything else that happened on his trip with his mother to Paris, this concerto caused Mozart trouble; the Duke failed to pay the composer for it.
In its small forces (the orchestra has only two oboes, two horns, and the standard string ensemble) it is suited for the salon. In line with the standard concerto form, the two soloists wait for the orchestra to present the opening material of the first movement, then take it up in unison. The movement as a whole is most charming in the dialogue-like writing for the flute and harp and in its overflowing lyricism. The second movement is accompanied only by the string section (the violas are divided into two parts for a richer sound). It is warm, uncomplicated, and somewhat florid. The finale is a lively rondo with a veritable parade of attractive tunes. The concerto as a whole, notwithstanding its background, stands as one of the most pleasant mementos of Mozart's Paris sojourn, which would continue to reverberate stylistically through the rest of his output.
All Music Guide
(www.allmusic.com/composition/...)
Wikipedia article
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert...)
International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
(imslp.org/wiki/Concerto_for_F...)

[@dragondaemonis3801]

This is definitely in my top 10 Mozart pieces. Only he could write such a wonderful concerto for this strange combination of instruments and make it sound like it is the purest and most natural thing ever. And those melodies...the beginning of the second movement is incredibly moving.

[@miguelfontesmeira]

Only Mozart could compose so naturally having being commissioned and hating the solo instrumentation. It's amazing!

[@dragondaemonis3801]

@@miguelfontesmeira That's true. Mozart couldn't compose bad things even if he tried to.

[@Dylonely42]

Same for me.

[@dc8955]

The whole thing is as brilliant as fine cut crystal reflecting candlelight.

[@nicomatf]

Great piece

[@Dylonely42]

I’m not a lover of Mozart, but I really like this concerto.

[@nicomatf]

What are your favorite Mozart pieces?

[@Dylonely42]

@@nicomatf Probably his most famous operas.

[@nicomatf]

@@Dylonely42 oh cool

[@Dylonely42]

@@nicomatf What about yours ?

[@nicomatf]

@@Dylonely42 his late symphonies and his operas, and the clarinet concert

[@kikicallahan3662]

17:49 Brainy Baby

[@jamesbigfan300]

Who's here from baby mozart? 🥲

[@kikicallahan3662]

The first movement of this concerto is the one featured in Baby Mozart, the third movement was featured in Brainy Baby's Right Brain.

[@glennjanot8128]

@@kikicallahan3662 And the beginning of the second was played in the movie Amadeus

[@andrewb.7613]

Ironically, Mozart disliked the flute and harp a lot and yet still put this out. Amazing. Haha.

[@Whatismusic123]

Terrible cadenza by the performer/s as usual with classical era music -_-
Good piece however.

[@wolfie8748]

Why do you think it is ?

[@Whatismusic123]

@@wolfie8748 They added new measures to the music, rather than extending an existing one. It ruins the form.

[@therealrealludwigvanbeethoven]

It is a masterful piece---not merely "good," and certainly superior to Wölfl.

[@Whatismusic123]

@@therealrealludwigvanbeethoven what are you talking about? who are you talking to? Did you think my praise of this piece was an insult? What an idiot you are.

[@Whatismusic123]

@@therealrealludwigvanbeethoven Grow up child. Stop pointlessly insulting Wölfl as if you know a single ounce about music composition and how to evaluate its validity.