Mozart - Variations on “Mio caro adone,“ K180 (1773) {Ingrid Haebler}

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 – 5 December 1791) was one of the most influential, popular and prolific composers of the classical period. A child prodigy, from an early age he began composing over 600 works, including some of the most famous pieces of symphonic, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Variations (6) on Salieri’s “Mio caro adone,“ for piano in G major, K. 180 (K. 173c) Vienna, Spring 1773. Ingrid Haebler, piano Description by Robert Cummings Here is another set of keyboard variations by Mozart, this time written on a theme by the man who has been portrayed as his bitterly jealous rival (Research proofs this doubtful sic.). The young composer was still in his teens when he wrote this work and must have held some admiration for Salieri at the time. “Mio caro adone“ (My dear Adonis) comes in the last scene of Salieri’s opera La fiera di Venezia (The Proud Woman of Venice). The work opens with the Andante theme, a demure, elegant minuet of only mild distinction. The first variation is sprightly, imparting color to the slightly gray textures of the melody. The ensuing variant is lively and more muscular, while the third is fast and light, gracefully hurrying along. The fourth is rife with trills and a sense of playfulness, and the charming, songful fifth, marked Adagio, is livelier than its marking would normally suggest. The final variation is a jaunty, colorful Allegretto that ends almost comically, with arpeggiated chords that seem to blissfully hop to a sudden stop. This attractive set of variations has a duration of about ten minutes.