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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Symphony No. 25 in G minor


Tyler Anderson

Mozarts 25th Symphony


Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a musical genius. He was born On January 27, 1756 in
Austria. He died December 5, 1791 in Vienna1. He was one of the greatest composers of his
time, he would write in all of the genres of music. He gained interest for the piano when he was
watching his sister play while they father was mentoring her. After, watching and coping his
sister, he was already picking out chords on the harpsichord.2 Most three year olds do not
know what a harpsichord is. After, showing his ability to understand and play the piano so
quickly that he too was being tutored by his father. By the age of 5, he was already composing.
This shows that Mozart had a brilliant and developed mind at such a young age. It is undeniable
that Mozart was of a brilliant mind as he wrote many works and died at such a young age of 35.
At about the age of about 7 he went on a lengthy tour in Western Europe. Him and his
family visited Munich, Augsburg, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Mainz, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Paris,
then London and returning through The Hague, Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon and Switzerland.3
They were gone for about 2 and a half to 3 years while traveling and visiting all the main musical
centers on the way. In just about all of these cities Mozart and his sister played. They would
play where ever they could get a chance whether that would be in a church or a public place;
they even got a chance to play once or twice in court. Mozart with his great ability would make
it up or improvised. In 1773 an archbishop by the name Hieronymus von Colleredo appointed
young Mozart as assistant concertmaster with a small salary.4 This archbishop took over after
Mozarts fathers benefactor passed away.
He also mastered many instruments. For instance, no sooner had the clarinet been
invented and introduced than Mozart began playing and composing for it.5 He was afraid of
one instrument, he was afraid of the trumpet.6 Why was Mozart so advanced in his skills?
Some believe that he was inspired and had a gift from God. His dad called him the miracle
which God let be born in Salzburg7 as Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria. One of the many
symphonies he wrote was the popular Symphony 25.
One of the more amazing things about this symphony is that Mozart wrote it when he was 17
years old. Think about what you were doing at 17. I was in high school trying to figure out my
future. Mozart was writing symphonies concertos at that age. That is just more proof that he
was brilliant. Overall, Mozart wrote 41 symphonies. The 25th symphony was one of the two that
were written in the minor key. Both symphonies were written in G minor. The 40th symphony is
known as the great G minor symphony and the 25th symphony is known as the little G minor
symphony.8 Since he only wrote two pieces in the minor key, it is determined that these pieces
had a significance importance to him. Minor key pieces tend to sound dark and mysterious.
They also have a passionate feel to them. Those feelings were accomplished in this piece. It was

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Sadie, Stanley: Encyclopaedia Britannica


Sadie, Stanley: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Sadie, Stanley, Encyclopadia Britannica
A&E Network: Biography
Mozart: A life by Paul Johnson
Sadie, Stanley: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Mozarts father Leopold during Mozarts early childhood
Brandon Hill mentions this but I dont know where the original quote is from

even stated that the seventeen-year-old Mozart may be said to have come of age emotionally.9
This was a piece that Mozart wasnt generally writing and showed a different side of his genius.
During this time period, Mozart was being criticized for putting too many notes in his
pieces. This symphony definitely had lots of complicated notes. It has complicated variations of
stringing many different notes together with syncopated melodic lines. However, when
performed correctly, this piece is beautiful. The way it was written captures the passion within
our hearts and helps us remember some of the trials in our lives.10 Mozart was being emotionally
controlled by his father. He also felt unappreciated by his boss, Archbishop Colloredo. This
symphony perfectly depicts those emotions. At the time, there was a Sturm and Drang (Storm
and Stress) movement in Germany. Joseph Hadyn was writing symphonies based on this
movement and Mozart was more than likely influenced by him.
This symphony has an unprecedented opening. It opens with the oboes playing four long
notes over the syncopated violins and violas playing the same line while the basses carry the bass
in even quarter notes. Just that opening has many things going on. Something like that was
unheard of at the time. It is easy to see why he was criticized. Who knows that the opening
could be delivered in the way that Mozart had intended. But it just worked. After the first
theme, Mozart introduces a second theme written in B flat major. This movement of the
symphony symbolizes the general music of the era that Mozart was quickly leaving behind.11
He knew the music of the era and wanted to make his own name. As previously stated, this piece
was an emotional milestone for Mozart.
After the B flat major movement comes the Andante movement. This movement shows a
little change in the opening. It is the only movement in the symphony that does not begin with
jagged octaves. Here, Mozart is trying to paint a picture of 18th century gentility.12 But even
this movement shows boldness in the details. Following this movement is the sober minuet that
starts to paint a picture of sunshine and grace. However, Mozart brings a really strong finale that
leaves the listener almost breathless. The finale will restore the tension from the first movement.
This paints the picture of emotional discontent, which is the perfect finale to Mozarts emotional
symphony.
In conclusion, Mozart made a statement with this symphony. He entered a different
realm of musical possibilities. He was influenced by Hadyn with the minor key. Mozart was a
child dealing with a troublesome childhood and this piece was a turning point for him. He
expressed everything he meant to express. This piece is still popular today as it is being
performed in live concerts across the globe. The work was first performed in the United States
by the Boston Symphony Orchestra on October 27, 1899, under the direction of Wilhelm
Gericke. And now it is being performed by orchestras everywhere. I am starting to appreciate
the influence of Mozart on our society and hope that his influence becomes stronger.

9 Quote from the Brandon Hill Chamber Orchestra web page


10 This is my own opinion of the piece.
11 Quote taken from Phillip Huscher in his report about the Symphony
12 Another quote taken from Phillip Huscher

History of Symphony No. 25 in G Minor


This was one of many pieces that he wrote when he was 17. This piece was written by Mozart in
October 1773. They are not sure on the day but there are some rumors going around saying that
it was completed on October 5.13 He first played this symphony toward the end of the year 1773
in Salzburg. Many would refer to this symphony as his most tragic piece of all. This piece was
written in the form of Sturm and Drang style.14 This style of music is featured dramatic
emotional extremes often represented by minor keys.15 There are many dramatic changes in the
dynamics and tempo of this piece.
This symphony was first played in the United States on October 27, 2016 by the Boston
Symphony Orchestra. This Orchestra was being directed by Wilhelm Gericke at the time. The
next time this piece was played in the United States not until 1973. This could be said that this
symphony is a dark piece and Mozart was a keen student of Haydns symphonies.16 It could be
said that Haydns music played a little influence into Mozarts life of this kind of music.

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Classic cat
MCO
MCO
Philharmonic

References Sited Page


Websites:
A&E Television Networks, Wolfgang Mozart Biography. Biography Online.
Biography, n.d. Sat. 09 Apr. 2016
Classic cat, Symphony No. 25 in G Minor. Classic cat online. Website, n.d. Sun. 10
Apr. 2016
Sadie, Stanley. "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Austrian Composer)." Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Sun. 03 Apr. 2016.
Robins, Brian. "AllMusic." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Tue. 05 Apr. 2016.
Hill, Brandon. "Mozart Symphony No. 25 in G Minor K 183." BHCO. N.p., n.d. Tue. 05
Apr. 2016.
Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Mozart: Symphony No. 25 in G Minor. Themco,
website. n.d. Mon. 11 Apr. 2016
Philharmonic Association. Symphony No. 25 in G Minor. La Phil, website. n.d. Mon.
11 Apr. 2016

One Report
Huscher, Phillip. Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Rep. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
One Book

Johnson, Paul. Mozart: A Life. N.p.: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated, 2013. Print.

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