CMXXXI. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus: Symphony #35 in D Major ("Haffner"), K. 385

CMXXXI. MOZART, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791)

Symphony #35 in D Major ("Haffner"), K. 385 (1782)
1. Allegro con spirito
2. Andante
3. Menuetto
4. Presto
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Bernard Haitink, cond.
(23:20)

It's all very confusing.

The Haffners were some of the earliest patrons of Mozart. When a Haffner daughter was getting married, Wolfy was expected to provide something new.

He did -- an eight-movement serenade, K. 250 -- the "Haffner" Serenade ... in 1776. Now -- six years later -- Leopold (in Salzburg) asked his son to write something new for the ennoblement of Sigmund Haffner Junior.

Although he was busy with other projects, he mailed the new serenade to his father, section by section. It is unknown whether or not he met the deadline, but when Leopold returned the score, Mozart -- amazed by his own vitality -- scooped out the serenade and turned it into this symphony.

The musical materials are ridiculously simple and in form and shape completely divine.

1. Allegro con spirito

2. Andante

3. Menuetto

4. Presto