Cassation in G major, K. 63
The Cassation in G major, K. 63, is an orchestral work by Mozart written around 1769 for the celebration of Salzburg University finalists, often called Finalmusik. It is one of three smaller pieces Mozart wrote that year (the others are K. 99/63a and K. 100/62a). When Mozart was 13, he wrote the first three of his nine large serenades for Salzburg in 1769; none of these titles was added by him. In a 1770 letter to his sister Nannerl, he referred to all three as Cassationen, though the exact meaning of the term is unclear. Some scholars think it referred to outdoor music for street performances.
Finalmusik were performed on August 6 and 8, 1769, for the finalists in Logic and Physics. It seems likely the two pieces played were K. 63 and K. 99, both modestly scored and in seven movements, each including a march. A grander work, K. 100, was probably written for another festive occasion later that summer.
The Cassation is scored for strings, two oboes, and two horns, and has seven movements:
- Marche: a lively, busy march where the second half moves into the relative minor.
- Allegro: bright and brilliant, with vigorous violin writing and wide leaps.
- Andante in C: a gentle, strings-only section with muted violins and pizzicato lower strings, including divided violas.
- Minuet with canonic effects, ending in a hushed trio for strings alone in G minor.
- Adagio in D: a tender slow movement for strings with muted violins and divided violas; the first violin often stands out as a soloist.
- Minuet in a jaunty dotted rhythm, with a staccato trio in C for strings and divided violas.
- Rondo in 6/8: a lively hunting rhythm with a minor episode to close.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 18:06 (CET).