Mozart, Sonata for violin and piano No 18

 
The second time Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart left his post in Salzburg to try his luck at higher European courts, he did so in the company of his mother, Anna-Maria, even though he was already 21 years old. His father, Leopold, was unable to accompany him on this occasion and, knowing Wolfgang's playful and carefree spirit, thought it advisable that he should not go it alone. What Leopold did not imagine was that the trip would last more than a year and that within that period of time Anna-Maria would fall ill and die in Paris.

The tour
It began on December 27, 1777, and included visits to Munich, Augsburg, Mannheim, and Paris. In Munich, after several successful concerts, he met in a hallway with the Elector just to learn that there were no vacancies. In Augsburg, everyone was amazed at his talent but he was not offered a position. Things appeared to change in Mannheim after making acquaintance with members of the best orchestra in Europe at that time. Some expectations arose but, in the end, it all came to nothing. Only love was fruitful: Wolfgang fell head over heels for Aloysia Weber. He made plans for a future with her, which Leopold instantly thwarted.

Paris
Bowing to his father's authority, Wolfgang left Mannheim for Paris with his mother in March 1778. Not very enthusiastic, they endured Paris and its "sophistication" for four months, until the ungrateful accommodations in cold rooms and the terrible food finally undermined Anna-Maria's health, ending her life on July 3, 1778.

Nannerl, Wolfgang, Anna-Maria
(on the wall) and Leopold, c. 1780

"Palatine" Sonatas
On his return, Wolfgang stopped for a long time at Weber's home in Mannheim, in a second attempt to get a place, again unsuccessful. There he finished composing the sonatas for violin and piano called "palatine" (K. 301 to 306), dedicated to Maria Elisabeth, consort of the Elector of Mannheim, whose territory and dominions were known as the "Electorate of the Palatinate".

Sonata for violin and piano K. 301/293 (N° 18)
The sonata belongs properly to the genre of music of its time intended for domestic enjoyment. With a "gallant" character, it has only two movements:

00   Allegro con spirito   The theme is first introduced by the violin, while the piano accompanies with broken chords. Then, the roles are reversed (0:26). Throughout the movement, the two instruments are in dialogue following this pattern.

8:37   Allegro   Now it is the piano that introduces the theme, which the violin will take up next at 8:47. In its middle section (11:00) it will adopt the minor mode. 12:41: The theme is taken up again in the major mode. The piece concludes with undisguised elegance.

The rendition is by American violinist Hilary Hahn and Beijing-born American pianist Natalie Zhu.