Mozart on the Menu: A Delightful Little Dinner Music

Philips' "Set your Life to Music" series was designed for the average person who knows little about classical music but is interested to explore and enjoy it. For the average listener, the more soothing and elegant sounds of Mozart or Bach that this series features will be more appealing than the harsher tones and loudness of a Beethoven or modern symphony. This album is a most lush collection of some of Mozart's finest music he composed for special festivities during the era of Dukes and Princes and Royal Courts (called "divertimenti"). So, the title "A Delightful Little Dinner Music" really is not far from the intent of the music Mozart wrote here - it was designed to be light, elegant and most of all to set a warm mood for the event. All pieces here are of a similar, non-invasive tone and temperament with no dramatic or loud sections that can disrupt special moments. The selections featuring the silky-smooth sounds of the oboe or clarinet are most delightful as Mozart had a special talent for writing for those highly-expressive instruments.