This charming piece is an adaptation from Mozart's 'Adagio and Rondo in C Minor' (K. 617). Mozart scored K. 617 for Glass Harmonium, Flute, Oboe, Viola and Cello. In this adaptation, the instrumentation was narrowed down to flute, oboe, keyboard (organ) and handbells. The handbells play the part that was originally written for glass harmonium. The flute and oboe parts require at least intermediate level players. The handbell part also is advanced, but it does not require a large group. My group rang it with six ringers.
Mozart wrote a number of compositions for this unusual instrument characterized by the purity of tone and the strong presence of overtones, much like bells. In case you forgot or missed history class that day, the Glass Harmonium was invented by Benjamin Franklin. This website has some interesting facts about Mr. Franklin and his harmonium.