Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Born Salzburg, 27 January 1756; Died Vienna, 5 December 1791

String Quartet No 1 in G K80

Adagio
Allegro
Menuetto
Rondeau: Allegro

By the time he was five, Mozart was playing the piano and probably beginning to compose small pieces that were written down by his father and teacher, Leopold. A year later, in late 1762, he embarked on his first concert tour of Austria with his elder sister Nannerl and Leopold, with the two children billed as 'child prodigies'. A second tour, beginning in June 1763 and lasting more than three years, saw the family welcomed in major centres such as Paris and London. During this time, young Wolfgang composed several sonatas for keyboard and violin, his first symphony, and some vocal music.

He spent two years back in Austria, during which his first four piano concertos, two operas and numerous other works were written, then in December 1769 set out on another tour with his violinist father, this time to Italy. While they were in the town of Lodi in Lombardy, Mozart wrote the String Quartet No 1 in G, completing it on the 15th of March at 7 in the evening – a fact noted on the score!

The Quartet is written in the style of Italian chamber sonatas of the time, and originally only included the first three movements. The final 'rondo' was added two years later, and provides a gentle ending to this remarkable work from a 14 year old.

[Programme note: Jane Dawson]