In the classical period, it wasn’t usual for symphonies to inspire stories or ideals. The music was enough on its own. But there were always those who made connections. When Mozart composed his final symphony in the summer of 1788, he never imagined calling it Jupiter, the name of the largest planet in the solar system, or the Roman god, father of Venus and Minerva. The assignment was made by J.P. Salomon, the German impresario responsible for Haydn’s two stays in London in the following years. Curiously, Haydn’s Symphony No. 101 was composed on his commission in 1793. It ended up being called The Clock because London audiences recognized the characteristic ticking sound in the 2nd movement. The overture to the opera Il mondo della luna, on the other hand, took the opposite route. In 1777 it celebrated the wedding of the youngest son of the Prince of Esterházy, but ended up becoming the sober 1st movement of Symphony No. 63.
Haydn & Mozart
Metropolitan Academic Orchestra
J. Haydn Overture to the opera Il mondo della luna
J. Haydn Symphony No. 101, The Clock
W. A. Mozart Symphony No. 41, Jupiter
Jean-Marc Burfin music direction
