Deutsche Grammophon Celebrates Rediscovery of Early Mozart Serenade 

Deutsche Grammophon is releasing three different versions of the recently discovered trio written by Mozart in his teens

In light of the recent discovery of a previously unknown trio written by Mozart in his early teens, Deutsche Grammophon (DG) has released three different studio recordings of the work as world premiere releases — two are chamber versions and one is an orchestral version. 

Now referred to as “A Very Little Night Music”, the piece is cataloged as Serenade in C, K 648 for two violins and bass. Lasting around 12 minutes, the string trio dates back to the mid to late 1760s and comprises seven miniature movements. 

The piece was first discovered by researchers of the International Mozarteum Foundation at Leipzig’s Municipal Music Library while curating the new edition of Köchel — an extensive catalog of Mozart’s work that has been in circulation for 160 years. 

Supported by the Stretton Society, one studio recording of the trio was recorded at the Viennese Hall of the International Mozarteum Foundation by violinists Leonhard Baumgartner and Margarita Pochebut, double bassist Svenja Dose, and harpsichordist Oscar Jockel.

The second chamber recording of the piece was produced with support from Unitel with the ensemble that gave the first live performance of the rediscovered work in Salzburg on September 19 at the presentation of the new Köchel catalog. Now available, this recording features violinists Haruna Shinoyama and Neža Klinar, cellist Philipp Comploi, and cembalo/harpsichord player Florian Birsak. 

The third recording of the work features the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and their former music director and honorary conductor Herbert Blomstedt. This orchestra version mirrors the evolution of Mozart’s famous Serenade in G “A Little Night Music” (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik), which was originally conceived for chamber ensemble as well, but is more commonly known today in its string orchestra version.

DG explains that its release of three different versions of the piece will invite comparison and dialogue, as the reception of the work in the music community is still in the early stages, plus provide inspiration for future interpretations of the work to come. 

The two chamber versions of the trio will be available on all digital platforms worldwide from October 11, 2024. The orchestra version will be released on October 18, 2024.

“The huge amount of attention that the publication of the new Mozart piece has attracted worldwide shows the unbroken fascination with the greatest composer of all time,” said the International Mozarteum Foundation’s CEO, Rainer Heneis in the press release. “The current world premiere recordings of the different interpretations of the Serenade in C KV 648 by Deutsche Grammophon are a great step towards quickly establishing ‘Ganz Kleine Nachtmusik’ in the standard repertoire of the music industry for longevity.”

“Performing [this work] symphonically with a choral string section instead of using a pure chamber music setup with individual violins and bass required some thought, but in the end, it led to a very convincing result,” noted conductor Herbert Blomstedt. “We are pleased to have provided a small initial impetus for what will surely become a long history of interpretations for Mozart’s Serenade in C K. 648.”

“The discovery of the Mozart Serenade in the Carl Ferdinand Becker Collection shows once again how important Leipzig is and always has been for music,” expressed Andreas Schulz, General Director of the Gewandhausorchester. “We are very proud that the Gewandhausorchester, under the direction of our honorary conductor Herbert Blomstedt, has premiered a chamber orchestra version of this newly discovered work.”

“[We] feel privileged to release a set of world premiere recordings of Mozart’s so-called “A Very Little Night Music”, in close collaboration with our partners International Mozarteum Foundation, The Stretton Society, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and Unitel, to whom I would like to extend heartfelt thanks,” added DG’s President Dr. Clemens Trautmann. “From teenage talent as vibrant as Leonhard Baumgartner and Margarita Pochebut to musical icons such as Herbert Blomstedt at age 97, the passion of all musicians and partners involved has been phenomenal and a fitting tribute to Mozart’s genius, which is already palpable in this early work.”