Mozart composed his magnificent Posthoornserenade (1779) probably for the annual festival where students said goodbye to the University of Salzburg. Harnoncourt emphasizes the theme of the farewell so much that it gives his fascinating reading something like an 'opera without words'. As a result, the opening part of the serenade already sounds less sunny than in many other performances, as if we
… are almost dealing with Beethoven's pre-romantic incidental music. In that opening part, pay attention, for example, to the reserved approach to the second theme. Actually, that modesty is too strong and too affected, at least that seems so at first hearing. At the same time, however, a restrained tension arises, as a prelude to a dramatic (symphonic) sequel: the conductor holds his breath, as it were, for what is to come. Harnoncourt shows beautifully how even this relaxation music is related to the world of theater and opera. (HJ)more
