A Quick Riff on Mozart's Eine kleine Nachtmusik
III. Menuetto Allegretto
Serenade No. 13 in G major, K. 525 ("Eine kleine Nachtmusik")
I'm Mozart, and I'd be glad to guide you through the III. Menuetto Allegretto of Eine kleine Nachtmusik. You'll hear a graceful dance in three-beat time in G major, and then a contrasting middle section in D major that makes the return of the opening dance feel like coming home. On this site my fellow composers and I also teach you to recognize our pieces when they play, so why not put yourself to the test right now?
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Who's Who at the Dance
Before you press play, here's what to listen for: five string players, two violins, a viola, a cello and a double bass, and nobody else. Follow the first violin first, because it usually carries the tune that makes you want to nod along. The second violin and the viola sit in the middle, adding the little steps and turns that keep the dance moving. Down at the bottom, the cello and the double bass keep a firm, even tread, so you could almost march along with them.Why It Wears a Dance Costume
I called it Menuetto because that is exactly what it is: a minuet, a dance movement, and the name tells you what kind of music is coming. The word Allegretto beside it is my tempo marking, a pace that is lively but never hurried, which suits a dance for people in their good shoes. In my catalogue I listed it as the second Minuet and Trio, because the first one, which was meant to come earlier in the serenade, has been lost. That makes this the third movement that survives, and the only minuet you can hear today.Just a Good Sandwich
For this movement I chose a minuet and trio, a shape made for dancing. It has three parts: the Menuetto, then the Trio, then the Menuetto again. If you like, picture a sandwich with the same bread on both sides and something different in the middle. I'll walk you through each part in the next paragraphs, so you always know where you are.Section 1: The Menuetto Walks In Wearing G Major
The Menuetto begins in G major, the same key as the opening Allegro, so you feel at home right away. The Allegretto pace keeps the mood bright, with a spring in the step but no rush. The strings speak plainly and mostly together, which makes the tune easy to catch and easy to remember. Hold on to it, because I'm going to bring it back before the end.Section 2: The Trio Opens a Window
Then the Trio arrives in D major, a new key that changes the view a little, like opening a window in a familiar room. The Allegretto pace stays with us, but the mood feels a touch more relaxed, as if the dancers have caught their breath. Listen for the move from G major to D major, because that small shift is what makes it feel like you've wandered into another room. It's a change of scenery rather than a change of dance, and it makes the return of the first tune all the sweeter.Section 3: The Menuetto Comes Home
After the Trio, the Menuetto returns, and the G major tune you heard at the start is back where it belongs. Having spent time in D major, you'll notice that G major now sounds like arriving at your own front door. The dance ends where it began, a tidy circle that leaves you satisfied without any fuss. Then the Rondo Allegro follows as the finale, and the serenade moves on to its last movement.Your Turn to Take the Floor
Now it's your turn: find a comfortable spot, press play, and let the music carry you along. While you listen, keep in mind who is playing which part, and wait for the first tune to come back. You'll hear the plain tune, the change of key, and the homecoming, just as we talked about. I hope you enjoy listening to this Menuetto as much as I enjoyed writing it.---
So that's the Menuetto, from its steady first steps to the way it comes back after the Trio. Did you enjoy this look at the Menuetto Allegretto of Eine kleine Nachtmusik? I hope it gave you a few things to listen for, and that the dance sounds a little different to you now. A piece this short is easy to let pass by, but it tends to reveal more each time you come back to it. Next time, you might notice how the mood changes when the Trio arrives in D major, and how pleasant it is to find yourself back in G major afterwards. There is still a lot more to explore in Eine kleine Nachtmusik. There are the other movements, each with its own character, and there are stories about the serenade and about the music that went missing. If you'd like to keep going, please click on the links provided and explore Eine kleine Nachtmusik further. I'd be glad to have you along for it, so take your time and enjoy the music.