The “Haffner” symphony was composed at the request of Leopold Mozart for the celebrations at the ennoblement of Wolfgang’s childhood friend, Sigmund Haffner, in Salzburg on 29 July 1782.

Mozart was under considerable pressure at this time with, amongst other professional commitments, preparations for the opening performance of Die Entfühtung aus dem Serail on 16 July, and the necessary arrangements for his forthcoming marriage to Constanze on 4 August.

It is unclear from the surviving evid...