Symphony No. 41 (Mozart) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Symphony No. 41
Jupiter
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Mozart c. 1788
Key	C major
Catalogue	K. 551
Composed	1788 (1788)
Movements	4

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart finished his Symphony No. 41 in C major on August 10, 1788. This symphony is also known as K. 551 in the Köchel catalogue, which lists Mozart's works. It was the longest and last symphony he ever wrote. Many music experts consider it one of the best symphonies in all of classical music.

The symphony is often called the Jupiter Symphony. This nickname was likely given by Johann Peter Salomon, a person who organized concerts.

The original handwritten music for the symphony is kept safe in the Berlin State Library.

What Instruments Are Used?

This symphony is written for a group of instruments. These include a flute, two oboes, two bassoons, and two horns. It also uses two trumpets, timpani (kettledrums), and strings (like violins and cellos).

When Was It Written and First Played?

Symphony No. 41 was the last of three symphonies Mozart wrote very quickly. He composed them all during the summer of 1788. He finished Symphony No. 39 on June 26. Then he completed Symphony No. 40 on July 25. Finally, he finished Symphony No. 41 on August 10.

Some experts, like Nikolaus Harnoncourt, believe Mozart planned these three symphonies as one big work. For example, Symphony No. 41, being the last, has a huge ending. It does not have a slow introduction like Symphony No. 39.

Around the same time, Mozart was also writing other pieces. These included piano trios and a piano sonata (K. 545). This sonata is sometimes called the Sonata facile, meaning "easy sonata."

We are not completely sure if Symphony No. 41 was performed while Mozart was alive. According to Otto Erich Deutsch, Mozart planned concerts in Vienna. He even sent tickets to a friend. However, historians don't know if these concerts actually happened. We do know the symphony was played in Leipzig in 1789. This was listed in a concert program there.

The Symphony's Parts (Movements)

This symphony has four main parts, called movements. This was the usual way symphonies were put together during the Classical period.

The whole symphony usually takes about 33 minutes to play.

I. Allegro vivace

The first movement is fast and lively. It starts with two different musical ideas. First, there's a loud burst of sound from the whole orchestra. This is followed by a softer, more singing response.

<score sound="1">

\relative c' { \tempo "Allegro vivace" c4\f r8 \times 2/3 { g16( a b } c4) r8 \times 2/3 { g16( a b } | c4) r r r8 c'\p | c4.( b8 d4. c8) | g'2( f4) r | <g, g,>4\f r8 } </score>

This back-and-forth happens twice. Then, there are many loud, trumpet-like fanfares. The music then moves to a new section. Here, the two main ideas are explored more. A second main tune appears, which is more gentle. This part ends with a stormy section in a minor key.

The development section then takes the musical ideas and changes them. It moves through different keys. A "false" return of the main theme happens softly. Then, the music builds up to the real return of the main themes. This part brings back the opening music in the original key.

II. Andante cantabile

The second movement is slower and has a singing quality. It is in the key of F major. This movement is like a slow dance called a sarabande. Mozart wrote "cantabile" (meaning "singing") for this slow movement.

The main tune is played by quiet violins. It is often interrupted before it can finish. Later, a new section appears. It has strong rhythms that break up the return of the main themes.

III. Menuetto: Allegretto – Trio

The third movement is a menuetto. It is marked "allegretto", which means "fairly fast." This movement sounds like a Ländler, a popular Austrian folk dance.

In the middle of the movement, the music changes keys. The woodwind instruments play short, echoing tunes. Then the full orchestra returns. In the "trio" part of the movement, a special four-note tune appears. This tune will be very important in the last movement. Here, it sounds different because it's in a minor key.

This movement was later used by Mike Batt for the band The Wombles. They released it as a song in 1974. It was a hit in the UK!

IV. Molto allegro

The final movement is very fast and exciting. A special part of this symphony is the five-voice fugato at the end. This means five main tunes are played together in a complex way. There are also other fugal sections throughout the movement. Here, one tune is developed, or two or more tunes are combined.

The main tune of this movement has four notes:

<score sound="1">\relative c { \time 2/2 c1 d f e }</score>

Four other tunes are heard in this finale. All five of these musical ideas are combined in the amazing ending.

A fragment from the score of the Jupiter Symphony's finale.

Sir George Grove, a famous music writer, said that Mozart used all his skill in this finale. He made it sound pleasing and smart at the same time. Grove also called the whole symphony "the greatest orchestral work" before the French Revolution.

The four-note tune is very old. It can be found in a church chant from the 1200s. Mozart loved this tune. He used it in his very first symphony in 1764. He also used it in other works, like an early mass and his Symphony No. 33. It even appears in the minuet of this very symphony.

Music experts believe Mozart studied other composers' works. He likely looked at Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 28. This symphony also has a fugato in its ending. Mozart even copied parts of its ending for his own. Charles Sherman thinks Mozart also studied Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 23. Mozart often asked his father, Leopold, to send him Haydn's latest fugues. Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 39, written just before Mozart's, also has a fugato. The four-note tune is also in the ending of Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 13. Joseph was Michael's older brother.

Why Is It Called 'Jupiter'?

According to Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart, Wolfgang's younger son, the name Jupiter came from Johann Peter Salomon. Salomon was a concert organizer in London. The name has also been linked to Johann Baptist Cramer, an English music publisher.

It is said that the first sounds of Mozart's Symphony No. 41 reminded Cramer of Jupiter, the Roman god, and his thunderbolts.

Newspaper ads from 1817 show the name was already in use. The Times advertised a concert on May 9, 1817, that included "Grand Sinfonie (Jupiter), Mozart." Another paper, The Morning Post, advertised printed music. It listed "The celebrated movement from Mozart's sympathy [sic], called 'Jupiter'."

First Recording

The first known recording of the Jupiter Symphony was made around the start of World War I. It was released by the Victor Talking Machine Company. This made it one of the first symphonies ever recorded using early sound technology.

The records listed the Victor Concert Orchestra as the performers. The conductor was not named on the labels. However, company records show it was Walter B. Rogers.

The music was shortened a lot for the recording. It was released on two records. The first two movements each had two different recordings. The first movement (on a 10-inch record) was about 2 minutes and 45 seconds long. The second movement (on a 12-inch record) was about 3 minutes and 32 seconds long. The third movement (10-inch) was 2 minutes and 40 seconds. The fourth movement (12-inch) was 3 minutes and 41 seconds.

See also

In Spanish: Sinfonía n.º 41 (Mozart) para niños

• "Beim Auszug in das Feld" – Some experts, like Elaine Sisman, think the Jupiter Symphony might be patriotic music. It could have been inspired by the Austro-Turkish War of 1788–1791.