About this edition
Composed in October 1773 when Mozart was just seventeen, Symphony No. 25 in G minor stands as one of only two symphonies the composer wrote in a minor key — the other being the celebrated Symphony No. 40, also in G minor. Often called the "Little G minor" to distinguish it from its later sibling, this work is remarkable for its turbulent Sturm und Drang character, its restless syncopations, and the unusual scoring that includes four horns (two in G and two in B-flat) to compensate for the harmonic limitations of natural horns in a minor key. Its dramatic opening Allegro con brio gained wider recognition through its use in the opening sequence of Miloš Forman's film *Amadeus*.
This score reproduces the engraving from the landmark Breitkopf & Härtel Mozarts Werke — the first complete critical edition of Mozart's works, issued between 1877 and 1883 under the editorial supervision of scholars including Johannes Brahms, Joseph Joachim, and Philipp Spitta. Symphony No. 25 appears in Serie VIII (Symphonien), Band 2, published in Leipzig in 1880 with plate number W.A.M. 183. For more than a century this edition served as the standard reference for performers and scholars alike, and it remains prized for its careful engraving and scholarly authority.
About this edition:
- Full orchestral score (conductor's score), reproducing all instrumental parts in the historic Breitkopf & Härtel engraving
- Generous 8.5 x 11 inch page size for clear, readable notation on the stand
- Faithfully reproduced from a public domain historical edition
- Published by Purple 4R Publishing, specializing in carefully prepared reprints of classic orchestral scores
This volume offers a faithful reproduction of a historical public domain edition, bringing one of Mozart's most arresting early masterworks within easy reach of conductors, orchestral players, students, and devoted listeners. We hope it serves you well in study, rehearsal, and performance.
