divertimento

formdee-vair-tee-MEN-tofrom Italian

A multi-movement work for a small ensemble, intended as light entertainment‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍

In Depth

The divertimento flourished in the Classical period as music for social occasions — dinner parties, garden entertainments, and serenades.‌‌‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‍ It typically has more movements than a symphony (five to seven), with a lighter, more relaxed character. Mozart composed over 20 divertimentos for various combinations of instruments, some of which rival his symphonies in quality. The form declined after the Classical period as concert music moved away from functional entertainment toward artistic seriousness.

Did you know?

Mozart's Divertimento in E♭, K. 563, for string trio is considered one of the greatest chamber works ever written — far too profound for background music.

Related Terms

serenade cassation partita suite

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