Description
Concerto in C Major (K299/297c) for Flute, Harp and Orchestra by W.A. Mozart
This edition for Flute and Piano by Bernhard Kontarsky
Edited by Gerhard Braun
Cadenzas are marked but not written.
The work contained in this present piano score edition dates from the year 1778 and was composed for the unusual combination of flute, harp and orchestra. The concerto was commissioned by the Duc de Guines, an “incomparable flautist,” and for his daughter, who “plays the harp magnificently.” Mozart also gave the daughter tuition in composition, although she appears to have been singularly ungifted in this respect.
The choice of keys (C and F Major) was presumably determined by the Eb harp with its pedal mechanism. This instrument was in wide use at the time. The fact that the flute part contains a low C in each movement suggests that the Duke used a flute with several keys and a lower range corresponding to that of the present-day concert flute.
This delightful work with its captivating “Andantino” is ideally suited to performance on flute and piano for study purposes, given that the harp part is incorporated in the piano score. The flautist can play his or her own cadenzas (as cadenzas are NOT included in this edition). For concert performance the players are advised to consult the double cadenzas for flute and harp in general use.