Symphony No. 36

On 31 October 1783, during his return journey from Salzburg to Vienna with Constanze, Mozart writes to Leopold: “When we reached the gates of Linz [...] we found a servant waiting there to drive us to old Count Thun’s, at whose house we are now staying. I really can’t tell you what kindnesses the family are showering on us. On Tuesday, November 4th, I am giving a concert in the theatre here and, as I have not a single symphony with me, I am writing a new one at breakneck speed, which must be finished by that time. Well, I must close, because I really must set to work.” If we follow Mozart’s account literally – and there is no reason why we should not – it thus took him barely five days to compose, supervise the copying of the orchestral parts and (presumably) to rehearse the new symphony in time for its first performance in honour of his host.