Symphony No. 35 in D major KV 385

The “Haffner” symphony was composed at the request of Leopold Mozart for the celebrations at the ennoblement of Wolfgang’s childhood friend, Sigmund Haffner, in Salzburg on 29 July 1782.

Mozart was under considerable pressure at this time with, amongst other professional commitments, preparations for the opening performance of Die Entfühtung aus dem Serail on 16 July, and the necessary arrangements for his forthcoming marriage to Constanze on 4 August.

It is unclear from the surviving evidence (the relevant correspondence between Wolfgang and Leopold at this period is incomplete) whether the symphony arrived at Salzburg in time for the Haffner celebrations. The symphony was first performed in Vienna, under Mozart’s direction, at the Hofburgtheater on 23 March 1783 in the presence of the Emperor.