The Symphony no. 39 in E-flat major is the least studied and performed of Mozart’s three last symphonies, and that in itself is something of a puzzle, because it is a masterwork. It doesn’t, however, have the tragic romanticism of the G minor symphony #40, or the magnificent heroics that earned the C major its nickname, the Jupiter.
There’s nothing in the first movement that doesn’t fit the textbook model of classical sonata form. Even the large slow introduction, which Mozart rarely uses in his symphonies, is a standard feature of Haydn’s output at the same time. But listen to the way Mozart’s introduction sweeps almost imperceptibly into the lovely, singing main Allegro.
The Andante is a collection of great melodies, capped by moments of great power and passion that are all the more remarkable in music of such chamber-music textures.
The third movement is one of Mozart’s most celebrated minuets, complete with a trio introduced by clarinets and based on an Austrian ländler.
The finale, in perpetual motion and colored by pervasive humor, is built entirely from one theme.
Here is the Frankfurt Radio Symphony to play this great music for you:
