Mozart's Viennese Instrumental Music

The stylistic evolution of Mozart's Viennese instrumental repertory as a whole [1781-1791] closely tied to historical and contextual lines of enquiry has yet to receive systematic attention. This book fills the gap through a study of stylistic re-invention a practically- and empirically-based theory that explains how innovative putatively inspired ideas take shape in Mozart's works and lead to stylistic re-formulation. Re-invention comprises a two-stage process: Mozart manipulates pre-existent stylistic features of his music to climactic effect in so doing introducing a demonstrably 'new' stylistic dimension with broad aesthetic resonance; he subsequently re-appraises his style in response to the dimension in question. From close examination of a variety of Mozart's works [piano concertos string quartets and symphonies in particular] supported by study of Mozart's other chamber and dramatic works the author shows that stylistic re-invention is a consistent and coherent manifestation of stylistic development. Ultimately re-invention puts centre stage the interaction of intellectual and imaginative elements of Mozart's musical personality accounting both for processes of reflection and re-appraisal and for striking conceptual leaps.SIMON P. KEEFE is James Rossiter Hoyle Chair of Music University of Sheffield.