The Serenade in E-flat, K.375, exists in two versions, one for two clarinets, two horns and two bassoons, and another for the same forces plus two oboes, forming an octet.

From Mozart himself we know a fair amount about the occasion that led to the first, six-instrument version of this work and about its early performances. Written for the sister-in-law of the court painter Hickl, it probably originated toward the end of September or the beginning of October in 1781 and was first performed on...