Classical Music Discoveries

Mozart’s Symphony No. 28 in C Major is his last work in the Salzburg series. The date of the composition is uncertain. It probably dates in early 1774. The symphony is written in the style of his 25th symphony. This 4-movement symphony is scored for 2 oboes, 2 horns, 2 trumpets and strings. Symphony No. 29 in A Major was completed on April 6, 1774. It is, along with Symphony No. 25, one of his better known early symphonies. It is characterized as “a landmark symphony, personal in tone, perhaps more individual in its combination of an intimate, chamber music style with a fiery and impulsive manner.” This is scored for 2 oboes, 2 horns and strings, as was typical of early-period Mozart symphonies. This is also a 4-movement symphony. The first movement is in sonata form, with a graceful principal theme characterized by an octave drop and ambitious horn passages. The second movement is scored for muted strings with limited use of the winds, and is also in sonata form. The third movement, a minuet, is characterized by nervous dotted rhythms and staccato phrases; the trio provides a more graceful contrast. The energetic last movement, another sonata-form movement in 6/8 time, connects back to the first movement with its octave drop in the main theme. This series is made possible by a generous donation from Dennis Loeffel. This CD is available on Itunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/complete-mozart-edition-symphonies/id118401915?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4