Symphony, K. 97 (Mozart)

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The Symphony in D major "No. 47", K. 97/73m, was probably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1770 in Rome.

Contents

Structure

The symphony is scored for two oboes, two trumpets and strings. In contemporary orchestras, it was also usual to include bassoons and harpsichord if they were available in the orchestra to reinforce the bass line and act as the continuo. The trumpets are silent in the second movement, in which the oboes are replaced by flutes. The duration is approximately 11 minutes.

The symphony consists of the following movements:

I. Allegro, 4
4
Symphony, K. 97 (Mozart)
II. Andante, 2
4
Symphony, K. 97 (Mozart)
III. Menuetto, 3
4
Symphony, K. 97 (Mozart)
IV. Presto, 3
8
Symphony, K. 97 (Mozart)

History

Mozart mentioned two symphonies in a letter to his sister on 25 April 1770. In his revision of the Köchel catalogue, Alfred Einstein states his opinion that these symphonies are likely to be K. 95 and K. 97, which could be "twin symphonies" due to similarities in style and structure. This view, however, is disputed by other authors, including Neal Zaslaw, as the autographs have not survived for either symphony. [1]

For two other D major symphonies from Mozart's first Italian trip, K. 81 and K. 84, the authenticity is clearer. Gersthofer, based on other works definitely by Mozart from this time period, considers Mozart's authorship for K. 81, K. 84, K. 95 and K. 97 "very likely". [2]

Whether the K. 95 and K. 97 symphonies were originally planned in four movements or had the minuets added later is unclear. [1] [3]

The Alte Mozart-Ausgabe (published 1879–1882) gives the numbering sequence 1–41 for the 41 numbered symphonies. The unnumbered symphonies (some, including K. 97, published in supplements to the Alte-Mozart Ausgabe until 1910) are sometimes given numbers in the range 42 to 56, even though they were written earlier than Mozart's Symphony No. 41 (written in 1788). The symphony K. 97 is given the number 47 in this numbering scheme.

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The Symphony in D major "No. 48", K. 111+120, was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1771. The first two movements are from the overture to the opera Ascanio in Alba, K. 111, and the last movement, K. 120/111a, was composed separately.

The Symphony in D major "No. 50", K. 161/141a, was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1772. The first two movements are from the overture to the opera Il sogno di Scipione, K. 126, and the last movement, K. 163, was composed separately. Köchel gave the entire work the number K. 161.

The Symphony in C major "No. 52", K. 208+102, was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775. The first two movements are from the opera Il re pastore, K. 208, and the last movement, K. 102/213c, were composed separately. The movements are played one after another without a break.

The Symphony in B major "No. 55", K. Anh. 214/45b, was probably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in early 1768 in Salzburg.

The Symphony in C major "No. 46", K. 96/111b, was probably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1771 in Milan.

The Symphony in D major "No. 45", K. 95/73n, was probably written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1770 in Rome.

The Symphony in F major "No. 56", K. 98/Anh.C 11.04, was once thought to have been written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but today is regarded as spurious. As of 2009, it is the only one of Mozart's symphonies published in the Alte Mozart-Ausgabe that has never been recorded. It is not included in the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe.

The Symphony in D major "No. 44", K. 81/73l, may have been written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1770 in Rome, although it has sometimes also been attributed to his father Leopold Mozart.

The Symphony in B major "No. 54", K. Anh. 216/74g/Anh.C 11.03, may have been written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1771, in Salzburg.

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The Symphony in A minor "Odense", K. Anh. 220/16a, was formerly attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. If the Odense Symphony had truly been Mozart's, it would be among only three of Mozart's symphonies to be written in a minor key. It is now considered certain that the symphony is not by Mozart.

References

  1. 1 2 Neal Zaslaw: Symphony in D major, K. 73m/97. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Early Symphonies 1764-1771. Recording of the Academy of Ancient Music. Concertmaster: Jaap Schröder, Continuo: Christopher Hogwood. Decca Record, London 1986.
  2. Wolfgang Gersthofer: Sinfonien KV 16-134. In: Joachim Brügge, Claudia Maria Knispel (ed.): Das Mozart-Handbuch, Band 1: Mozarts Orchesterwerke und Konzerte. Laaber-Verlag, Laaber 2007, ISBN   3-89007-461-8, pp. 15-27.
  3. Sixth edition of Köchel catalogue