The symphony nº 38 in major D, Kv 504, known as “Prague” , is a Symphonie composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart fine 1786.

In 1786, the Austrian, frivolous public and little attaching, seemed to have of it enough music of Mozart; its popularity went decreasing, the number of concerts given and their success was reduced, in short, the decline of its life was announced. However, the regard which he enjoyed with Prague, capital of the Bohemia, did not weaken. To thank the city, Mozart carried, when it had to go there for the repetitions of Don Giovanni and the Marriages of Figaro, a new symphony, probably written several months earlier but which had never been carried out: the Symphony nº 38 Kv 504 in major D “Prague”.

This work, contemporary to the composition of two major operas, carries the traces of the opera, just like its “twin work”, the concerto for piano n°25 K 503 in major C. Its cutting is curious, because it does not comprise a Menuet, contrary to other symphonic works of the time. This dancing movement would have obstructed work that Mozart could only achieve in three movements:

1. Adagio, Allegro;

2. Andante;
3. Presto.

The very long introduction of the first movement, Adagio , approaches the accents in tragic minor D of the serious opera. The Allegro which follows admirable and very merry, but constantly is tended, agitated by two main themes which very frequently return.

The Andante , more traditional in the writing, especially with regard to the wood and the winds, presents an architecture all spaces some very pleasant, though a little diffuses and trailing when interpretation comprises a recovery.

The Presto final, incisive and light, is the perfect antithesis of the tragic introduction. Basing itself on a topic derived from the third act of the Marriages of Figaro, when Chérubin jumps by the window to escape the count, it has however a development distressed and dramatic, where the rhythmic shifts and alternations of dynamics, language and stamp is had a presentiment of in a tended swirl.

This Symphonie, which remains one of most popular today, is a wonder of maturity, in particular in the inventive writing for the wood which abound in the extreme movements, and the original treatment of the counterpoint, which precedes already final the running away of the Jupiter.

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