Mozart: Posthorn Serenade & Eine kleine Nachtmusik Die Kölner Akademie & Michael Alexander Willens

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791):
• 1 March in D Major, K. 335, No. 1 04:13
• 2 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": I. Adagio maestoso - Allegro con spirito 08:15
• 3 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": II. Menuetto. Allegretto 04:07
• 4 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": III. Concertante. Andante grazioso 06:38
• 5 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": IV. Rondeau. Allegro ma non troppo 05:32
• 6 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": V. Andantino 07:37
• 7 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": VI. Menuetto 04:33
• 8 Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K. 320 "Posthorn": VII. Finale. Presto 04:12
• 9 March in D Major, K. 335, No. 2 04:17
• 10 Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": I. Allegro 08:20
• 11 String Quartet No. 1 in G Major, K. 80: III. Menuetto 02:52
• 12 Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": II. Romanze 04:54
• 13 Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": III. Menuetto 02:21
• 14 Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525 "Eine kleine Nachtmusik": IV. Rondo. Allegro 05:49
• Total Runtime 01:13:40

Info for Mozart: Posthorn Serenade & Eine kleine Nachtmusik

Die Kölner Akademie and Michael Willens have previously recorded Mozart’s complete piano concertos with Ronald Brautigam, earning praise for their fresh and colourful contributions to the series. The team now releases the first of four projected disc with further Mozart scores, beginning with two of the composer’s best-loved serenades. Serenades were a characteristic feature of Salzburg musical life: opening with a march and continuing with as many as eight or nine separate movements on an orchestral scale, such works will have been ringing in Mozart’s ears from childhood. Thirteen serenades of varying scope and scorings are included in Mozart’s catalogue of works, and of these the well-known ‘Posthorn Serenade’ is the ninth. It is also the last serenade that Mozart composed before leaving Salzburg for Vienna. The nickname stems from Mozart’s inclusion of a solo for post horn (‘corno di posta’) in one of the movements, but the wind instruments play an important role throughout the serenade, with extended solos for flute and oboe.

In comparison, Eine kleine Nachtmusik – the last serenade Mozart wrote – is for strings only. It is also shorter than many of the other serenades, and was probably intended for a more intimate occasion. Mozart’s own thematic catalogue lists it as having five movements, but as the first minuet and trio (preceding the slow movement) have been lost, only four are typically performed today. In this recording a minuet from Mozart’s very first string quartet in G major, K.80, is incorporated by way of completion of the five-movement arch.

Die Kölner Akademie
Michael Alexander Willens, conductor

Die Kölner Akademie
is a unique ensemble based in Cologne which performs music of the seventeenth through the twenty first centuries on period instruments with world renowned guest soloists.

The ensemble seeks to bring out the composers’ intentions by using urtext editions, historically informed performance practice,and the proper number of performers for each work.

Die Kölner Akademie has received the highest critical acclaim for its outstanding performances at major festivals and concert halls in Europe, North America, South America, Asia and the Middle East. Many of these performances were broadcast live and several were filmed for television.

In addition, they have recorded more than 40 CDs for the CPO and ARS Produktion labels which feature world premiere performances of music spanning 3 centuries. Several of these recordings have been nominated for prizes; their recording of Johann Mattheson’s Das Größte Kind received an Echo Klassik Prize and their recording of Bernhard Romberg’s symphonies received a SUPERSONIC award.

Die Kölner Akademie is recording a complete set of Mozart piano concertos with fortepianist Ronald Brautigam for BIS records. All of these recordings have received outstanding international praise.

Michael Alexander Willens
music director of Die Kölner Akademie, studied conducting with John Nelson at the Juilliard School in New York, where he received B.M. and M.M. degrees. He has also studied with Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood, as well as choral conducting with Paul Vorwerk. Willens’ broad experience has given him an unusual depth of background and familiarity with performance practice styles ranging from baroque, classical and romantic through to contemporary as well as jazz and pop music.

Mr. Willens has conducted concerts at major concert halls and festivals in Europe, South America, Asia, Iceland, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Israel and the United States, receiving the highest critical praise: “The success of the whole owed in large measure to the uncommonly precise, yet never affected gestures of Michael Alexander Willens”.

In addition to the standard repertoire, Michael Alexander Willens is dedicated to performing works by lesser-known contemporary American composers and has conducted several world premières, many of which have been broadcast live or filmed for television. He is also keenly interested in re-discovering music from the past and has released over 40 CDs featuring this repertoire. Several of these recordings have been nominated and received awards. They have all received outstanding international reviews, : “Willens achieves an impeccably stylish and enjoyable performance.” (Gramophone ) ,,…conductor Michael Alexander Willens exploits every bar of the score to fullest expressive effect. (Fanfare)

He has guest conducted orchestras in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Brazil and Israel in addition to his commitment to Die Kölner Akademie.

Booklet for Mozart: Posthorn Serenade & Eine kleine Nachtmusik