K. 720

Notation mélodique en ré, K. 720 (ré majeur)

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Miniature portrait of Mozart, 1773
Mozart aged 17, miniature c. 1773 (attr. Knoller)

La Notation mĂ©lodique en rĂ© (K. 720) de Mozart est une brĂšve Ă©bauche pour clavier, inachevĂ©e, notĂ©e Ă  Salzbourg (1772), conservĂ©e en manuscrit autographe et classĂ©e parmi les Varia du compositeur [1]. Datant de sa seiziĂšme annĂ©e, elle appartient Ă  la mĂȘme pĂ©riode salzbourgeoise d’une intense fĂ©conditĂ©, au cours de laquelle le jeune musicien de cour Ă©largissait rapidement sa maĂźtrise du style et de l’écriture [2].

Contexte et cadre

En 1772, Mozart est Ă©tabli Ă  Salzbourg et vient d’ĂȘtre intĂ©grĂ© Ă  l’institution musicale du prince-archevĂȘque, un cadre qui exige une production rĂ©guliĂšre dans de nombreux genres [2]. K. 720, toutefois, n’est pas une « piĂšce achevĂ©e » au sens habituel : le Köchel Catalogue Online du Mozarteum la rĂ©pertorie comme une page pour clavier autographe, conservĂ©e, mais inachevĂ©e, datĂ©e simplement « Salzbourg, 1772 » [1]. ConcrĂštement, cela se lit comme un petit aide-mĂ©moire musical privĂ© — davantage une idĂ©e mise en notes qu’une Ɠuvre prĂ©parĂ©e pour l’exĂ©cution.

Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

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Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond.) · Claus Guth (stage) · Wiener Philharmoniker · Anna Netrebko

Harnoncourt conducts Wiener Philharmoniker in Claus Guth's celebrated Salzburg production with Anna Netrebko as Susanna. One of the most acclaimed Figaro productions of the 21st century.

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The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

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View on Amazon →
AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

Headphones

AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

AKG

Semi-open studio reference headphones — clear mids and detailed highs ideal for classical music. Professional standard in recording studios and orchestras.

View on Amazon →
Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

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Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Ivån Fischer (cond.) · Nicholas Hytner (stage) · Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Fischer conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Hytner's Glyndebourne production. Outstanding international cast, period-instrument approach.

View on Amazon →
The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

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The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Claudio Abbado (cond.) · Orchestra Mozart Bologna

Intimate documentary following Abbado's last great musical project — the Orchestra Mozart — during their 2013 European tour. Behind the scenes with one of the 20th century's greatest conductors.

View on Amazon →
Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Prime Video

Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond.) · Claus Guth (stage) · Wiener Philharmoniker · Anna Netrebko

Harnoncourt conducts Wiener Philharmoniker in Claus Guth's celebrated Salzburg production with Anna Netrebko as Susanna. One of the most acclaimed Figaro productions of the 21st century.

View on Amazon →
The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Prime Video

The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Julia Jones (cond.) · Roderick Williams · Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House production conducted by Julia Jones. Roderick Williams stars as Papageno in this visually spectacular Covent Garden staging.

View on Amazon →
AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

Headphones

AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

AKG

Semi-open studio reference headphones — clear mids and detailed highs ideal for classical music. Professional standard in recording studios and orchestras.

View on Amazon →
Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Prime Video

Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Ivån Fischer (cond.) · Nicholas Hytner (stage) · Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Fischer conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Hytner's Glyndebourne production. Outstanding international cast, period-instrument approach.

View on Amazon →
The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Prime Video

The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Claudio Abbado (cond.) · Orchestra Mozart Bologna

Intimate documentary following Abbado's last great musical project — the Orchestra Mozart — during their 2013 European tour. Behind the scenes with one of the 20th century's greatest conductors.

View on Amazon →
Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Prime Video

Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond.) · Claus Guth (stage) · Wiener Philharmoniker · Anna Netrebko

Harnoncourt conducts Wiener Philharmoniker in Claus Guth's celebrated Salzburg production with Anna Netrebko as Susanna. One of the most acclaimed Figaro productions of the 21st century.

View on Amazon →
The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Prime Video

The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Julia Jones (cond.) · Roderick Williams · Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House production conducted by Julia Jones. Roderick Williams stars as Papageno in this visually spectacular Covent Garden staging.

View on Amazon →
AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

Headphones

AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

AKG

Semi-open studio reference headphones — clear mids and detailed highs ideal for classical music. Professional standard in recording studios and orchestras.

View on Amazon →
Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Prime Video

Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Ivån Fischer (cond.) · Nicholas Hytner (stage) · Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Fischer conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Hytner's Glyndebourne production. Outstanding international cast, period-instrument approach.

View on Amazon →
The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Prime Video

The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Claudio Abbado (cond.) · Orchestra Mozart Bologna

Intimate documentary following Abbado's last great musical project — the Orchestra Mozart — during their 2013 European tour. Behind the scenes with one of the 20th century's greatest conductors.

View on Amazon →
Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Prime Video

Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond.) · Claus Guth (stage) · Wiener Philharmoniker · Anna Netrebko

Harnoncourt conducts Wiener Philharmoniker in Claus Guth's celebrated Salzburg production with Anna Netrebko as Susanna. One of the most acclaimed Figaro productions of the 21st century.

View on Amazon →
The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Prime Video

The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Julia Jones (cond.) · Roderick Williams · Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House production conducted by Julia Jones. Roderick Williams stars as Papageno in this visually spectacular Covent Garden staging.

View on Amazon →
AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

Headphones

AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

AKG

Semi-open studio reference headphones — clear mids and detailed highs ideal for classical music. Professional standard in recording studios and orchestras.

View on Amazon →
Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Prime Video

Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Ivån Fischer (cond.) · Nicholas Hytner (stage) · Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Fischer conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Hytner's Glyndebourne production. Outstanding international cast, period-instrument approach.

View on Amazon →
The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Prime Video

The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Claudio Abbado (cond.) · Orchestra Mozart Bologna

Intimate documentary following Abbado's last great musical project — the Orchestra Mozart — during their 2013 European tour. Behind the scenes with one of the 20th century's greatest conductors.

View on Amazon →
Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Prime Video

Le Nozze di Figaro — Salzburg 2006, Harnoncourt / Netrebko

Nikolaus Harnoncourt (cond.) · Claus Guth (stage) · Wiener Philharmoniker · Anna Netrebko

Harnoncourt conducts Wiener Philharmoniker in Claus Guth's celebrated Salzburg production with Anna Netrebko as Susanna. One of the most acclaimed Figaro productions of the 21st century.

View on Amazon →
The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Prime Video

The Magic Flute — Royal Opera House (2022)

Julia Jones (cond.) · Roderick Williams · Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

Royal Opera House production conducted by Julia Jones. Roderick Williams stars as Papageno in this visually spectacular Covent Garden staging.

View on Amazon →
AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

Headphones

AKG K240 Studio Semi-Open Professional Headphones

AKG

Semi-open studio reference headphones — clear mids and detailed highs ideal for classical music. Professional standard in recording studios and orchestras.

View on Amazon →
Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Prime Video

Così fan tutte — Glyndebourne 2006, Iván Fischer

Ivån Fischer (cond.) · Nicholas Hytner (stage) · Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Fischer conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in Hytner's Glyndebourne production. Outstanding international cast, period-instrument approach.

View on Amazon →
The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Prime Video

The Orchestra — Claudio Abbado and the Musicians of Orchestra Mozart

Claudio Abbado (cond.) · Orchestra Mozart Bologna

Intimate documentary following Abbado's last great musical project — the Orchestra Mozart — during their 2013 European tour. Behind the scenes with one of the 20th century's greatest conductors.

View on Amazon →

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CaractĂšre musical

Ce qui nous est parvenu est une esquisse mĂ©lodique concise en rĂ© majeur, prĂ©sentĂ©e sans l’ampleur de dĂ©veloppement qu’on attend de l’écriture pour clavier plus « publique » de Mozart Ă  Salzbourg [1]. Pourtant, le choix tonal est rĂ©vĂ©lateur : le rĂ© majeur, avec sa rĂ©sonance lumineuse et sa sonoritĂ© idiomatique au clavier, constituait alors une tonalitĂ© « par dĂ©faut » pour des pensĂ©es musicales rapides et affirmatives. Entendue (ou plutĂŽt lue) dans le contexte de 1772, K. 720 laisse percevoir l’habitude de Mozart — dĂ©jĂ  Ă  seize ans — de saisir rapidement la matiĂšre sur le papier, en conservant une rĂ©serve de thĂšmes et de gestes susceptibles d’ĂȘtre affinĂ©s, dĂ©veloppĂ©s, ou simplement laissĂ©s de cĂŽtĂ©.

[1] International Mozarteum Foundation (Köchel Catalogue Online) — work entry for KV 720: key (D major), dating (Salzburg, 1772), status (autograph; extant; uncompleted).

[2] Mozart & Material Culture (King’s College London) — biographical context for Mozart’s Salzburg position and activity in 1772 (including appointment in the Salzburg court music).