String Quintet No. 4 (Mozart)

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The String Quintet No. 4 in G minor, K. 516 was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Like all of Mozart's string quintets, this work is a "viola quintet" in that is scored for string quartet and an extra viola (two violins, two violas and cello).

The work was completed on May 16, 1787, less than a month following the completion of his grand C Major Quintet, K. 515. This would not be the last time that a great pair of C major/G minor works of the same form would be published in close proximity and assigned consecutive Köchel numbers. The following year, the 40th (G minor) and 41st (C major) symphonies would be completed within a few weeks of each other.

[edit] Movements

The work is in standard four movement form:

I. Allegro
II. Menuetto: Allegretto
III. Adagio ma non troppo
IV. Adagio - Allegro

The mood of the piece is dark and melancholic, typical of Mozart's other G minor works. The first movement is in sonata form with both the first and second themes in G minor. The movement does not resolve to the major key in the recapitulation and has a minor-key ending.

The minuet is placed second and is a minuet in name only as the turbulent G minor theme and heavy third-beat chords make this movement very undancelike. The central trio is in a bright G major.

The third movement is a slow, melancholic and wistful, furthering the despair brought forth by the previous movements.

The start of the fourth movement is a not the typical quick-tempo finale, but a slow cavatina. It is a dirge or lament that is even slower than previous movement. The music wallows in this dark area for a few minutes before reaching an ominous pause. At this point, Mozart launches unexpectantly into the ebullient G major Allegro which serves to let the listener forget all the drama that had preceded it. Critics have often questioned how such an insoucient and carefree finale could be tacked on after three-plus movements of intense pathos.