Johannes (Matthias) Sperger (1750–1812)
4 Divertimenti for 2 Oboes, 2 Horns and Bassoon (SWV D I/18–21)
Fourth Series – First Edition
The 4 Divertimenti presented here in print for the first time come from Sperger's extensive estate, which is now preserved in the music collection of the Landesbibliothek Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State Library of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania).
The fact that these 4 pieces belong together was established through paper comparison. They were composed around 1781 and were probably conceived as open-air music for the park of the Archbishop's summer residence in Pressburg (today Bratislava).
The works have been numbered according to Adolf Meier's thematic catalogue of Sperger's works (Michaelstein/Blankenburg 1990).
In the autograph, the individual works bear neither a title nor the designation Parthia. Two oboes are always specified; however, in his catalogue Sperger notes “Clarinetto Parthia oder Oboe Parthia”, so 2 clarinets are also possible as an alternative. In this edition, the term “Partie” has been replaced by “Divertimento” as the designation for the works.
Audio sample: Divertimento in G major, SWV D I/18 (Allegro – Andante siciliano)
