The overture to Mozart's late opera 'Die Zauberflöte' (The Magic Flute) was probably the first piece of classical music that absolutely blew me away and which also made me realise that here was a genre that was superior to every other art form on the planet. 24 years later and I'm still in awe of Mozart's sheer genius and for me he remains the single greatest artist in the history of the planet.
My favourite piece changes pretty much from month to month. On the Classical Music thread in the Music forum I recently said that it was the violin concerto by Sibelius but there are many things I regarded as personal favourites. The adagio molto e cantabile from Beethoven's 9th symphony is high on the list. 'Cosi Fan Tutte' is nothing but the most exquisite work of art from beginning to end (e.g. the so-called
Wedding Canon from Act Two).
But if had to choose one single piece at gunpoint it would probably be the opening allegro from Mozart's Symphony in D major, No. 38. (K504). From an intellectual, technical and emotional perspective it is extraordinary, even by Mozart's high standards. You could write a book about this movement alone and still not get to the answer of how Mozart actually did it, how he managed to throw together something so complex and make it sound so
easy. Every note is right. Every touch of orchestration is perfect and it is stuffed full of intricate counterpoint. For me this is what makes Mozart a greater composer than Beethoven. With Beethoven you're aware of the human effort involved in the process of composition even if the results often sound super-human. Mozart makes the hardest things sound like child's play, and IMO that takes a calibre of genius that is exceptionally special.
The allegro of the D major symphony
begins at 02.34 in the video here (there's an expansive slow introduction first).
Part two continues
here.
There are so many subtle details and touches that flash by in a split second that it's almost impossible for the mind to keep up with the pace of Mozart's invention. And there's so much power and
energy, and a tremendous impression of sheer strength. It really is one of the greatest masterworks in music. I've heard it hundreds of times and it never fails to dazzle both the mind and the ear. Incidentally, one of the themes is very similar to the main theme in the overture to Die Zauberflöte.
