Classical Music Discoveries

Mozart’s Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major was composed in 1764 when Mozart was 8 years old. By this time, he was already famous in Europe as a child prodigy, but had composed little music. The autographed score of the 1st symphony is preserved in Krakow, Poland. The piece was written during the Mozart family’s Grand Tour of Europe while in London. The family relocated to Chelsea during the summer of 1764 due to Leopold Mozart’s health. He was fighting a severe throat infection, at that time. The house at 180 Ebury Street, now in the borough of Westminster, where the symphony was written, is marked with a plaque. The symphony was first performed on 21 February 1765. The work shows the influence of several composers, including his father and the sons of J S Bach. J C Bach was in important symphonist working In London and young Mozart had befriended him. This 3-movement symphony is scored for 2 oboes, 2 horns, harpsichord and strings. Symphony No. 4 in D Major was also composed in London at this time, when Mozart was 9 years old. Though the original manuscript for this symphony has not survived the years, the set of parts written in the hand of his father, Leopold, is preserved in the Bavarian State Library in Munich. This is a 3-movement symphony which was standard in the early classical music era in which the younger Mozart composed. The symphony is in the typical fast – slow – fast configuration. The work is scored for 2 oboes, 2 horns and strings. Purchase this on Itunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/complete-mozart-edition-symphonies/id118401915?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4