Mozart composed his last three symphonies, K. 543, 550 and 551, within a few weeks in the summer of 1788. Based on the dated entries in his catalogue of works, it can be assumed that Mozart probably only needed a month to compose the G minor symphony. Even if sketches or other preparatory work may already have existed, this is an impressive achievement. It is also remarkable how quickly the work was composed given the absence of any reason for haste or any evidence to suggest that the piece was commissioned.
It is also unclear when the premiere took place, presumably at a private concert by the music lover and librarian Gottfried van Swieten in the composer’s presence. In any case, there is evidence of the performance at two academies – as the public concerts were called at the time – of the Tonkünstler-Societät in April 1791. The Tonkünstler-Societät was a kind of pension association intended to raise money for widows and orphans of musicians. Incidentally, the two concerts were conducted by Antonio Salieri, who later became closely associated with the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde.
