Parthia in E flat for wind ensemble à 6 FIRST VERSION

Music for several woodwinds flourished in the second half of the 18^th century, particularly in Bohemia and Vienna. In most compositions, three or four pairs of instruments—oboes and/or clarinets, horns, and bassoons—are employed. Mozart had access to clarinets only outside of Salzburg. Several pieces are transmitted in two different variants of scoring; however, it is not certain whether Mozart was involved in any of them, except the addition of two oboes to the sextet version of KV 375. Indoor performances of music for woodwinds served mainly as background music during dinners, outdoor performances mainly as entertainment in the evening, for example as commissioned pieces to celebrate name days. In Salzburg, there was also a tradition of pieces with 5 trumpets and timpani for the court of the Prince-Archbishop to which further woodwinds could be added.