Mozart Symphony No.35 in D Major ("Haffner"), K.

385

Program notes by Mingyuan Wang

Orchestration: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings
I. Allegro con spirito
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Presto

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756 - December 5, 1791) was born in
Salzburg, Austria. Mozart was one of the greatest composers of classical music, his
works and background have influenced countless classical music composers and
practitioners. Mozart's works showed his pursuit of democracy and freedom, despite
being under great social pressure at that time, his music showed optimism and bright
mood. He was good at using various forms of writing, combining the folk music of
Germany, Austria, Italy etc, and the traditional European music, giving a more
profound and well-rounded composition style, which opened up a new world for the
development of Western music.

In July of 1782, Leopold Mozart sent his son a letter asking him to write a new
symphony for their friend Sigmund Haffner, a wealthy Salzburg merchant and
burgomeister. Some years earlier, Wolfgang had composed “Haffner Serenade” for
the wedding of Sigmund's daughter. Now Haffner's son, also named Sigmund, was to
receive a title of nobility, and a new symphony was to be played at the celebration.1
1782 was a busy and happy year for Mozart because he wrote many pieces, and his
opera ‘Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail’ was premiered in Vienna. The 35th Symphony,
also known as the ‘Haffner’ Symphony, was written in 1782 to celebrate the
knighthood of Haffner, mayor of Salzburg. The overall feeling of the piece is majestic,
optimistic and energetic, written in a celebratory mood.

1
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
Symphony No. 35 in D Major ("Haffner"), K. 385 Program Notes by Boston Baroque Performances
This symphony consist of four movements and it follows the form of Vienna
Symphony and is composed of four movements: Allegro, andante, minuet, and
presto，the whole piece is about 20 minutes long.

The first movement, Allegro, is the theme of the whole piece, which establishes the
style and theme of the whole work. The first movement, in sonata Form in D major,
begins with a powerful theme and is played repeatedly by a variety of instruments.
The development department is shorter and the reproduction department repeats
an identical theme to the beginning. The second movement is Andante, in which the
first theme is played by the first violin and the second violin is accompanied by light
scattered chords, the second theme is presented by the second violin. This whole
movement sounds very elegant and peaceful. The third and fourth movements
features melodies from the composer's operas. The melody of the middle section of
the minuet in the third movement is taken from the chorus of "Viva pur La
giardiniera" (Viva pur la giardiniera) at the end of the opera "La finta giardiniera"
(K196), composed in 1775, which is full of joy.2 The theme of the fourth movement is
derived from the melody of O wie will ich triumphieren in Die Entfuhrung aus dem
Serail (K384), an opera written in the same year, full of the joy of success.3

It is a beautiful and classic work of symphonic music, and it’s rich, difficult and fast
melody made this piece a standard in the orchestra audition repertoire for most
string players. Mozart could make music that sounds simple but requires complicated
and difficulty skills. I believe this is the main reasons why his work has become well
known in the modern world.

2
By Lei Wu. https://www.douban.com/note/695008812/
3
By Lei Wu. https://www.douban.com/note/695008812/