Jupiter

"Symphony No. 41" was completed in the summer of 1788 along with symphonies No. 39 and No. 40 and there is no evidence that any of the three were performed during Mozart's lifetime. Due, perhaps to its monumental sonority it was subsequently dubbed "The Jupiter" after the supreme god of the ancient Roman Pantheon. This, the first movement is somewhat unique for its number of "irregular" phrases. It was common in music of the classical period to build the form around phrases of 4 or 8 bars, but here, Mozart saw fit to employ phrases of 3, 5 or even 7 bars! Despite this, due to the composer's mastery of the symphonic form, the average listener will be unaware of this deviation from the norm. In this arrangement I have attempted to convey the thrill of this magnificent composition while making it available and playable for young string players.