Moz-Art à la Haydn

Moz-Art à la Haydn is a violin duo based on musical sketches by Mozart commonly listed as K. 416d. The Russian composer Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998) wrote the piece in 1977; its German title can perhaps best be translated as “Moz-like.” The work is a prime example of Schnittke’s sardonic humor, but the listener should not be fooled by its entertaining medley character. Its witty, humorous undertone notwithstanding, it is a serious and well-crafted work.

(c) Jason Stell