Mozart composed his Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219, in 1775, whilst he was a court musician in Salzburg.
The work forms part of a series of five violin concertos that Mozart wrote in quick succession and is characterised by a combination of melodic clarity and refined orchestral dialogue.
The concerto consists of three movements: an Allegro aperto, an Adagio and a Rondo known for its alternation between lively rhythms and more lyrical passages. In the first movement, Mozart gives the soloist scope to display virtuosity, whilst the violin and the orchestra remain in constant dialogue with one another. The second movement has a calm, lyrical atmosphere in which the violin develops long melodic lines over a transparent accompaniment. The final movement features a striking change of tempo and character, a stylistic device that was considered surprising in the eighteenth century.
Anecdote
The concerto was later given the nickname ‘Turkish’ because of its Rondo finale, in which Mozart wrote a section with accents and rhythmic effects reminiscent of the then-popular ‘Turkish’ musical style. This influence stemmed from the European fascination with the music of the Ottoman Empire, which can also be found in other works by Mozart, such as the opera *Die Entführung aus dem Serail*.
Famous performances
- Mozart - Violin Concerto No. 5 A maj - Pinchas Zukerman - Cristian M?celaru - WDR Symphony Orchestra
Complete work (3 Movements)
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This concerto contains the following Movements:
