A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Divertimento

DIVERTIMENTO, a term employed for various pieces of music.

1. In Mozart it designates a piece closely akin to a Serenade or Cassation, usually in 6 or 7 movements—though sometimes only 4, and once as many as 10; indifferently for trio or quartet of strings, wind alone, or wind and strings mixed. Köchel's Catalogue contains no less than 22 of such Divertimenti. The following is the order of the movements in one of them (no. 287):—(1) Allegro; (2) Andante grazioso (6 variations); (3) Minuet; (4) Adagio; (5) Minuet; (6) Andante and Allegro molto. The changes of key are slight; in some there is no change at all.
2. A Pot-pourri or arrangement of the airs of an opera or other piece for orchestra or piano.