Symphony No. 40 in G minor, "Great G minor Symphony"

Hear the original wind colour

This full score follows the version without clarinets. Conductor Martin Pearlman distinguishes that orchestration from Mozart’s later revision, so a familiar recording may distribute wind lines differently. Read the staves in front of you rather than expecting the revised version’s colour everywhere.

Follow ideas between sections

Across the four movements, trace a short idea and identify which instruments carry, support or interrupt it. Follow an inner part while listening, then return to the principal melody. In rehearsal, this perspective can help balance an entrance without making every section compete for prominence. The score becomes a map of relationships rather than isolated instrumental parts.

Music in this edition

1. I. Allegro molto
2. II. Andante
3. III. Menuetto and Trio
4. IV. Allegro assai