Michael Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

6 Duets (Sonatas) 2

Michael Haydn (1737-1806), younger brother of Josef Haydn, had been in the employ of Colloredo, Archbishop in Salzburg as Court Composer and Leader (Concertmaster) of the court orchestra. In 1783, he was commissioned - or a better word perhaps - ordered by Colloredo to compose a series of six duets for violin and viola. Due to serious illness, he was unable to complete the series. Haydn was concerned that the Archbishop would cancel his fee. Haydn asked his friend Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) to complete the work by writing the remaining two duets. Mozart composed the duets in a few days, in time to meet the Archbishop's timeline. For this reason, all six duets were delivered under Michael Haydn's name. The present edition is the first that reunites the six duets - naturally with the correct attributions. Included in volume 1: 4. Duet in B flat Major K 424 (W.A. Mozart); 5. Sonata Nr. 3 in F Major MH 337 (M. Haydn); 6. Sonata Nr. 4 in E Major MH 338 (M. Haydn).