Classical Music Work of the Week - Dec. 26, 2005

This wonderful Mozart symphony is not as often performed as his more popular symphonies like the "Jupiter" and no. 40. Far be it from bad, though, this symphony was composed with just as much care and insight as the others. Only three movements make up this symphony. Composed in 1778, Mozart, 22, wrote three works for Paris: Symphony no. 31 ("Paris Symphony"), a piano sonata (K. 310), and a violin sonata (K. 304). He was instructed by his father to "be guided by the French taste," and that is exactly what he did. At the time, Parisian orchestra's were fanatic about le premier coup d’archet , the act of attacking the first note of a piece. French orchestra's were proud to show off their ability to begin precisely at the same time. Mozart included this effect most prominently in the allegro movement. Mozart, though, did not want to sacrifice his music for the sake of winning over the French. In fact, he wrote in a letter to his father stating, "I care very little for who will not like it? I can answer for its pleasing a few intelligent French people who may be there - and as for the stupid ones, I shall not consider it a great misfortune if they are not pleased."