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The origin of
the 12 Duos for two horns
is even less clear than that of the
Divertimenti
. For a long time they were regarded as duos for violin, and that is
how they were listed in Köchel’s famous chronological thematic catalogue,
Chronologisch-thematisches Verzeichnis
, of Mozart’s works. The autograph
manuscripts of three of the Duos have survived, and prove their authenticity
without enabling us to determine precisely the instruments for which they
were written.
The Duos were published in Vienna, then in Paris by Imbault, under the title
Douze pièces pour deux cors, composées par W. A. Mozart. Opera 46
. And it is now
accepted that these pieces are not arrangements, but are most likely the
original version, especially as the Imbault edition, apart from attributing the
parts to a
corno primo
and a
corno secondo
, remains very faithful to the original
manuscript.
Although some of the sounds are difficult to produce, the register is very high
and there are many chromatic notes, the most plausible solution is the use
of two natural horns, as on this recording. Skilful horn players are capable of
playing the difficult chromatic notes and of using a rising scale to reach the
high notes.
Mozart did not include these pieces in his own catalogue, probably because
he regarded them as simple amusements, written for the personal use of a
few virtuoso players of his time, rather than as pieces intended for concert
performance or for publication. Mozart’s childhood friend Joseph Lautgeb (to
whom he dedicated the great Horn Concertos of the Viennese period) was
possibly one of those virtuosos. These pieces are indeed light and entertaining
but, as always with Mozart, their composition shows great skill and
understanding of the instrument.
12 DUOS FOR 2 HORNS 71