Morgan Phillips is currently interning with Cincinnati Public Radio's marketing team. She's a rising senior at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Communication with a minor in Marketing. For her Clef Notes submission, we asked her to listen to Mozart's Symphony No. 40 (Molto Allegro) and write about what she heard and felt. We thought you'd enjoy her essay.
I have always been a music lover because no matter what you are doing in life, music can be nostalgic and apply to different parts of your life, particularly listening to Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550. I had many feelings and personal experiences rise in me as I listened to the symphony.
Whenever I listen to an intriguing piece of music, I like to research the concept. Most composers have a message or feeling to get across. Mozart does a great job of reflecting his life in his art. The piece was written in the 18th century. During this time, it was popular in music to put sorrow, and almost a dark, eerie feeling as a concept, especially in the key of G Minor. After the piece, I felt like I went through an emotional roller coaster and felt anxious at times.
The opening moments with the strings and the melody with brass and low tones reminded me of what it feels like to be working on getting things done, and there is a setback, almost like the last lap in Mario Kart. You are moving with the melody through the music, and it slows down, and the melodic line comes back.
I felt on edge not only during these notes but throughout the entire piece. The moments where the music slows down and the notes are very connected, almost seeming whimsical like you are daydreaming, then the tempo excels, and the intensity appears again. It feels like you are trying to escape reality and falling into a daydream constantly. The clarinets through the slow portions almost give a tugging feeling when it leads into faster sections. As the repetition of the melody keeps repeating itself, it keeps building throughout the piece and the acceleration of the ensemble until the end. It's almost like a sigh of relief I felt finally getting through the music, like in Mario Kart finally finishing a race.
I enjoyed this piece, and if you need a boost, this is the perfect symphony to listen to when you are studying, trying to do homework or need to get going for the day!
