Divertimenti for 3 Basset Horns Nos. 1, 2 & 3

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

edited by Tony Turrill

three basset horns in F

with a variety of transpositions

   To hear some computer generated extracts from Divertimento 1, played on basset horns, click on the   quaver

These divertimenti, five in all, have been played for many years using two Bb clarinets and a Bassoon.   Whilst many of us have derived hours of pleasure from these versions, it is now clear that Mozart originally intended them for three Basset Horns and anyone who has played them in this combination will have been astonished by the vast improvement in the richness of the tone.  This edition was primarily produced to allow the divertimenti to be played in the original form by those doubly fortunate both to possess a Basset Horn and to have two friends within travelling distance who are similarly blessed .Equally, the range is such that the parts could well be played on two normal clainets and a basset clarinet.    For those who are not so blessed but would still enjoy playing them, parts have been provided in transpositions which allow the following combinations of clarinets which approach the sound of the original:-

Two Bb Clarinets and a Basset Horn in F

Two Bb Clarinets and an Alto Clarinet in Eb

Two Basset Horns in F and a Bass Clarinet in Bb

as well as for the well used

Two Bb Clarinets and Bassoon..

Apart from the use of the Treble Clef for all Basset Horn Parts and the Bass Clarinet, the editing follows the manuscript. The Allegros are normally played briskly (around crochet = 150) and some of the more rapid Alberti Bass passages and runs may well benefit from the slurs which are found in some other editions. However such additions have been left to the players’ discretion.