Although Mozart composed them in his early
twenQes, the three symphonies presented here can
in no way be regarded as early works. WriUen
around the Qme of his departure from Salzburg for
Vienna, these symphonies show that Mozart could
deliver aUracQve, varied, orchestrally colourful and
characterful music to suit a variety of public tastes.
They also show a young and ambiQous composer
seeking to forge an impregnable reputaQon in
Europe’s musical capital city. These symphonies
truly opened a new chapter in Mozart’s symphonic
output, as he demonstrated his absolute mastery of
orchestral wriQng. In addiQon to the three
symphonies as we know them, this recording also
includes a minuet that may have been intended to
form part of Symphony No. 34.
These three symphonies are performed here by the
Philharmonia Orchestra, an ensemble that has
performed them with the greatest conductors
throughout its almost 80-year history. Here the
conductor is the eminent MozarQan Michael
Collins, whose recordings, notably that devoted to
the Austrian composer’s clarinet concerto and
quintet, have earned him the highest praise.
