Classical Wednesday: Mozart – Symphony No.1 in E flat major K16 (1764)

Mozart’s Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, K. 16, is the earliest symphony by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, written in 1764 when he was just eight years old. Composed in London, it features three movements (Molto allegro, Andante, and Presto) and demonstrates surprising confidence for such a young composer.

Key details about the symphony:

Composition Context: Written while on a grand tour of Europe, the work shows influence from contemporaries like J.C. Bach and Abel.
Structure: The piece follows the early classical Italian overture style with three movements:
- I. Molto allegro ( $4 / 4$ 4/4, E-flat major)
- II. Andante ( $2 / 4$ 2/4, C minor)
- III. Presto ( $3 / 8$ 3/8, E-flat major)
Instrumentation: Scored for two oboes, two horns, and strings.
Autograph: The original manuscript is preserved in the Biblioteka Jagiellońska in Kraków.