Classical Music Discoveries

The Symphony in F Major, K. ? was probably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in early 1765 in London. The symphony is scored for two oboes, two horns and strings. The oboes are silent for the second movement. This 3-movement symphony was lost until a copy in the hand of Leopold Mozart was found in 1980. The title page stated it was composed when Wolfgang was 9 years old, which would place this symphony as being composed in 1765. However, since Leopold often advertised his son as being younger than his actual age, this date may be questionable. Before the discovery of this symphony, this work was known to exist as small parts of this symphony were hand written on the cover page of another symphony. Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, K. 22 was composed while the Mozarts were in The Hague. The year was 1765 and Mozart was 9 years old. The Mozarts were currently on their musical tour of Western Europe. Young Mozart fell seriously ill during this time and he wrote this symphony while he was convalescing. This 3-movement symphony, in Italian form is scored for 2 oboes, two horns and strings. All three movements prominently feature the horns. A rousing first movement in B-flat Major opens the symphony, followed by a more solemn, mournful movement in the relative key of G minor. A short and very boisterous finale closes the work. It is noteworthy that the opening theme to the finale is borrowed from a keyboard concerto by J. C. Bach whom Mozart had met the previous year in London. This same theme would also reappear in a much later work, “The Marriage of Figaro” as it closes the 2nd act. The Neville Marriner Conducts Mozart Series is sponsored by Dennis Loeffel. Advertisers: www.ClassicalRecordings.co