During Mozart’s last performing tour he became acquainted with a group of six Duets for violin and harpsichord composed by Joseph Schuster of Dresden. Mozart admired the way in which both instruments shared the music, with the harpsichord part equal to that written for the solo violin instead of the usual secondary and accompanying role.

Impressed by this balanced and equal relationship between the instruments, Mozart composed a set of six sonatas of his own (K. 301-306) which were published in Paris in November of 1778.

During that year Mozart’s mother passed away in Paris, a fact which Mozart delayed in telling his father back in Salzburg. When Mozart did relay the message his father was angry and dismayed, further distancing their relationship.

The sonata in e minor K. 304 is unusual as it is a sonata in only two movements; Allegro and Tempo di minuetto. The writing for both instruments is virtuosic and resembles his violin in his violin concertos. The opening movement is turbulent while the minuet begins in a more leisurely fashion. However, the turbulence of the first movement returns at the end, giving the sonata a three-part feel.