Trio in Eb Major, K. 498, “Kegelstatt” by W.A. Mozart, III. Rondo: Allegretto

Trio in Eb Major, K. 498, “Kegelstatt” by W.A. Mozart III. Rondo: Allegretto Nathaniel, clarinet Rebecca, viola Ines, piano Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 –1791) was a prolific Austrian composer of the Classical era and whose compositions are among the most performed to this day. Although he died at age 35, he composed over 600 works, and his colorful personality and fascinating life have made him the subject of plays, movies, and academic articles. By age 5 he was deemed a prodigy, already playing keyboard and violin and composing works that were heard by royalty. He spent most of his life in Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, and achieved fame and respect but little financial success. This piano-violin-clarinet trio was written in 1786 and dedicated to the von Jacquin family, whose children were talented students of the composer. Historians do not think the nickname of “Kegelstatt” was used by Mozart, but added later in a published edition of his works. This word can be translated as “a place where skittles are played.” In this context, “skittles” was an outdoor game thought to be the precursor to bowling. Audio and video by Dave Jamrog