Flute Quartet No. 1 (Mozart)

It is the first of three quartets written in Mannheim, Germany at the request of Ferdinand De Jean who was introduced to Mozart by Christian Cannabich.

[2] These compositional mannerisms, along with uncharacteristically long and meticulous development sections in the first movement, proved Mozart's Flute Quartet No.1 to be a transitionary piece on his path to composing in Paris.

This is a close predecessor of the "concerto" form that features a single instrument at the highest possible level of virtuosity and playability.

The string players create a textural contrast between their Pizzicato figures and the flute's long sustained melodies that feature the Mannheim style's sweeping gestures and harmonic suspensions.

[2][1] Mozart then wrote a disappointed letter to his father outlining his lack of compensation for the commission by the flutist and how he needed to distract himself from composing for instruments he "cannot bear".