A turbulent symphony written by a 17-year old. You might recognise it from the film Amadeus.
Giordano Bellincampi conducts the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Photo: Adrian Malloch
In 1773 Mozart had a busy year.
He’d spent much of it on tour with his father, in Vienna. They returned to Salzburg in September and this is when the Symphony No 25 was written – very quickly. Mozart was just seventeen years old.
Of his forty one symphonies, this is one of only two in a minor key (the other, in G minor like this one, being the famous Symphony No 40).
This symphony fits into the category of what music historians call the Sturm und Drang style. “Storm and Stress” is the usual translation to describe a turbulent, restless character to the music, full of sudden dynamic changes, pulsing rhythms, and unsettled melodies.
Recorded by RNZ Concert, Auckland Town Hall, 5 November 2020
Producer: Adrian Hollay; Engineer: Rangi Powick
