Page 131 - (DK) The Classical Music Book - Big Ideas Simply Explained

CLASSICAL 1750–1820 129

See also: Stamitz’s Symphony in E-flat major 116–117 ■ The Magic Flute 134–137 ■
“Eroica” Symphony 138–141 ■ Der Freischütz 149 ■ The Ring Cycle 180–187

final three symphonies, Nos. 39–41, minor keys, syncopated rhythms,
including the Symphony No. 40 in melodic leaps, and other flourishes,
G minor, K.550, possibly composed all of which characterize Mozart’s
for a projected concert series in “Little” G minor symphony (No. 25,
a central Viennese casino. These K. 183/173dB), completed in 1773.
works represent the culmination This moody music often went
of the symphonic genre during hand in hand with the virtuoso
the Classical period—though they playing associated with the city
also look ahead to the music of of Mannheim in Germany, which
the 19th century, with its emphasis Mozart visited in both 1763,
on a broad range of harmonies, when he was seven years old, Wolfgang Amadeus
along with concert programs and again in 1777–1778, at age 21. Mozart
ascribing distinct narratives and Mannheim’s instrumentalists
themes to musical pieces. were famous for creating dynamic Born in Salzburg, then part
shifts and thrilling crescendoes. of the Holy Roman Empire,
Expressive forces But it was not just the style of the in 1756, Mozart followed in
As a young man, Mozart had been Mannheim symphony that was the footsteps of his father,
influenced by the Sturm und Drang new. Its structure also differed from Leopold, a musician and
(“storm and stress”) movement that its counterparts, consisting of four composer in the archbishop’s
emphasized emotion and creative rather than three movements. The court. Yet Mozart’s brilliance
individuality. This style, which symphony’s previously dancing ❯❯ as a violinist, pianist, and
took its lead from contemporary composer meant that Salzburg
literature, is also evident in works often seemed stifling, even
by the pioneering and prolific Mozart often composed music provincial, and he tried to
in segments before fleshing them
“father of the symphony,” Joseph out as finished manuscripts, such find employment elsewhere.
In 1781, he settled in the
Haydn. In music, Sturm und Drang as the one below of his Symphony city of Vienna, the seat of
found expression in the use of No. 40 in G minor. Habsburg pomp and power.
Working as a freelance
composer, he perfected genres
such as the symphony, the
concerto, and the string
quartet, and wrote a handful
of highly successful operas.
Mozart died of mysterious
causes in late 1791, at the age
of 35, leaving behind some
600 musical works and an
extraordinary legacy for the
generation that followed.

Other key works

1773 Symphony No. 25
in G minor
1779 Krönungsmesse
1786 The Marriage of Figaro
1790 Cosi fan tutte
1791 Requiem (incomplete)

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