Mozart: Divertimenti for Strings and Winds

Divertimento (diversion, recreation): rarely has the title of a piece of music been more explicit. Closely related to genres such as the serenade, cassation, notturno, Nachtmusik, partita and Felmusik, all of which were intended to serve as entertainment pieces, the divertimento was very much in fashion in the eighteenth century, when it was often performed outdoors in the street after sunset to celebrate a name-day or birthday, or for end-of-term ceremonies at Salzburg University (Finalmusik).