Mozart: Divertimento in E-flat, K. 563 - I. Allegro

i have been assigned to perform this piece in a short festival i am attending this summer, so i thought i would get a head start on learning it. the piece was written in mozart's all-famous summer of 1788 (the most well-known feat being that he composed all three of his final and most well-known symphonies during these weeks). it is a string trio for the problematic ensemble of violin, viola, and cello, and it was dedicated to a friend of his who lent him money (michael puchberg). he premiered it that september playing the viola part.

true to the form of a divertimento, it has six movements, but in all other respects is basically a string trio work. most program notes point out that it includes two minuets, a set of theme and variations, and another slow movement in sonata form, but is not generally seen as the "light" music that the name 'divertimento' otherwise suggests.

the ensemble is problematic because it lacks fullness generally. this is an impression i get almost always listening to this ensemble - with one more violin it is generally easy to take care of, which is why the quartet has become such a staple ensemble of chamber music. but mozart does a great job of covering for it in this work.

the first movement is a standard allegro in sonata form.

exposition from beginning up until about 2:30, where it repeats. the theme, beginning with a descending e-flat arpeggio, is cheery and sunny, but elegant at the same time. a modulation into b-flat along with a second theme comes at about 0:45, a bit more lyrical, but not exactly dolce - still plenty of texture in the other parts. i enjoy how he prolongs the real cadence until quite late, spinning out many arpeggios and extended solos for the three instruments until finally rounding it off.
development begins at 4:50. he starts with the same figure that opens the movement, but then moves it in astonishing directions, contrasting it with a rising figure in whatever instruments accompany it. 5:15 a bit more movement and strife, and this moment reminds me a bit of the corresponding section in the first movement of beethoven op 18 no. 1. the strife dies down quietly, and the development is actually extremely short, leading to a recap at 6:00.
redevelopment at 6:34. cadences in the correct key of e-flat, so that he can begin the second theme in its rightful place. the movement ends without coda.