Mozart | Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 (Piano)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his final three symphonies at incredible speed, all during the summer of 1788. One aspect of the three on which commentators universally agree is their extraordinary diversity of character. The agitation and pathos of the G minor Symphony No. 40 may reflect the abject circumstances in which Mozart found himself during this period, but there is also mellow warmth, strength and humour in the Symphony No. 39 and true grandeur in the Symphony No. 41 (‘Jupiter’). In addition, the tragic qualities so often associated with the Symphony No. 40 were not always considered central to its character. While for Robert Schumann it was a work of ‘Grecian lightness and grace’, for a later writer, Alfred Einstein, there are passages that ‘plunge to the abyss of the soul’. This is an excellent piano reduction of this masterpiece.

Contents:

• Molto allegro
• Andante
• Menuetto & Trio. Allegretto
• Finale. Allegro assai