Mozart in Film: Part IV

William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Directed by: Baz Luhrman
Music supervisor: Laura Zifferan

       In July of 1773, Mozart visited Vienna with his father in hopes of finding more work but went back to Salzburg by September without any success. Symphony No. 25 was composed soon after in October although he most likely started it during his trip to Vienna. It is composed in a minor key that started a trend in the late 1760s and early 1770s. Other minor key compositions of the era were associated with “Sturm und Drag” which is a genre that resembles the sounds of "storm and stress". Although Mozart’s opening allegro does not follow the conventions of this genre its intense and quick string patterns create a sense of urgency.

                                                  Mozart's Symphony No.25

IN

       This piece is appropriately featured in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet during the scene in which Juliet’s maid is running around the house trying to find her so that she can get ready for the party at the Capulet mansion that evening. This tone foreshadows the same urgency that will continue from the minute she meets her Romeo that night and falls madly in love.

Historical information from:
All Media Guide. "Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Composer: Symphony No.25 in G-, K.183." Classical Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2013. <http://www.classicalarchives.com/work/18612.html>.

Written by: Arianna Benincasa