DCCCII. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: Symphony in F Major, K. App. 233 (19a)

DCCCII. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

Symphony in F Major, K. App. 233 (19a) (1765)
1. Allegro assai
2. Andante
3. Presto
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Neville Marriner, cond.
(10:38)

With a manuscript in Leopold's hand, this symphony was only recently discovered -- in Munich in 1981.

We can assume that papa probably helped the nine-year-old in some aspects -- but it is also clear that Wolfgang was quite capably composing all sorts of music at this very young age.

The work is certainly original in musical materials, if not form.

First movement

A fine combination of melody (first violins), sustained harmony (winds) and broken chords (seconds/violas) and repeated notes (bass).

A cadence on the dominant (C Major) introduces a second theme:

Mozart repeats the material, but moves from dominant to tonic in the repeat.

Second movement

The oboes sit out. A lovely melodic idea. Check out the interesting viola part!

Third movement

A traditional gigue, perhaps made a little more exotic by the lad's exposure to the hornpipe, reel or highland fling dance during his stay in London.