The origin of Mozart’s Andante for flute and orchestra in C major, K315 has been the subject of debate. Two dates have been suggested—the winter of 1777 or early spring 1779—while the motivation for its composition is unclear. After the briefest of introductions, unusually scored for pizzicato strings with oboes and horns, the flute begins a lyrical, sustained arioso, which continues with the second theme in G major. In character the melodic material anticipates The Magic Flute of more than ten years later. Following a brief central quasi-development episode which passes through G minor and D minor, Mozart enhances the recapitulation with little variants in the transition and the second theme. The opening pizzicato tutti returns several times throughout as a kind of punctuating landmark. A cadenza and a brief coda conclude this gem of a piece.

from notes by Phillip Borg-Wheeler © 2016