Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40 & 41 Concentus Musicus Wien & Nikolaus Harnoncourt

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791): Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, K. 543
• 1 I. Adagio - Allegro 10:42
• 2 II. Andante con moto 07:35
• 3 III. Menuetto - Trio 03:50
• 4 IV. Allegro 08:20
• Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
• 5 I. Molto allegro 07:27
• 6 II. Andante 12:08
• 7 III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio 04:19
• 8 IV. Finale. Allegro assai 10:36
• Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 -Jupiter-
• 9 I. Allegro vivace 12:59
• 10 II. Andante cantabile 09:29
• 11 III. Menuetto. Allegretto - Trio 05:14
• 12 IV. Molto allegro 11:39
• Total Runtime 01:44:18

Info for Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40 & 41

Harnoncourt regards the last three symphonies as one whole work, which he calls Mozart’s ‘Instrumental Oratorium’. Sony Classical present Harnoncourt’s final recording of these works, with a fascinating new interpretation.

In terms of structure, he argues that the first movement of the Symphony No. 39 is the Prelude of the ‘Instrumental Oratorium’, whilst the last movement of the Symphony No. 41 is the Finale. He points out that the Symphony No. 39 has no real ending, whilst the Symphony No. 40 has no real beginning, and only the Symphony No. 41 has a Finale.

There are a number of factors which Harnoncourt points to as further proof of his new interpretation – musical themes which are evident throughout all three symphonies, Mozart’s intense knowledge of the oratorios of Bach and Handel, the fact that Mozart wrote the works without a commission (which he didn’t do for any other works) all in one summer, and that he didn’t write any more symphonies during the following 3 years of his life, until his death – this was his last statement.

Recorded for the first time with Harnoncourt’s own ensemble Concentus Musicus Wien, which he founded in 1953.

Concentus Musicus Wien
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Dirigent

No biography found.

Booklet for Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 39, 40 & 41