Through the summer of 1788 Mozart was consumed in a burst of inspiration. The result was the three remarkable symphonies that turned out to be his last.
The exact purpose for composing the trio of symphonies, like so much with Mozart, remains something of a mystery. One theory is that he intended them to be new-style ‘Grand Symphonies’ as the centrepieces for concerts he was planning for Frankfurt (in 1790) and Vienna (1791). They are certainly grand in tone and scale for the time, undoubtedly placing Mozart alongside Haydn as a master of the symphonic form, and setting a new standard that paves the way for composers such as Beethoven in the following decades. Collectively, these works reflect an invincible spirit and optimistic drive that inspired Mozart to continue creating brilliant music, despite the gloomy personal circumstances he faced.
