Famous works · Classical
Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525
Completed 10 August 1787, Vienna
A light serenade for strings that became one of the best-known pieces of music in the world.
The story behind it
Mozart listed it in his own catalogue of works while he was also writing the opera Don Giovanni.
We do not know why he wrote it or whether it was performed during his lifetime. It was only published in about 1827, long after his death.
His catalogue lists five movements; one minuet is lost, so we hear four today.
What to listen for
- The rising “rocket” opening played by all the strings together.
- The tender Romanze slow movement.