Orchestra de l'Opéra national de Paris, 16 March 2026

Phillip Cartwright, HorizonVU Sound & Movement

We recognize and send our many thanks to Maestro Marek Janowski and the Orchestra de l'Opéra national de Paris for the excellent performances of Mozart, Symphony 39 in E flat major and Bruckner, Symphony 4 in E flat major.

Mozart's Symphony 39, is the first in a series of three, his last three. Symphony 39 receives less attention than the final two, not because it is any way inferior but it stands next to both 40 and 41, which are ever so highly regarded. This is particularly true of Mozart's final and longest Symphony, 41 (Jupiter) in C major, K. 551, which is one of the greatest works of classical music.

With respect to highlights, Symphony 39 opens Adagio-Allegro with a slow, serious, chromatic introduction including brass fanfares. It is important to note that Mozart replaced oboes with duo clarinets. The clarinet was a relatively new instrument in 1778. Mozart is known to have loved the clarinet and there is a delightful clarinet duet takes place in the middle ‘trio’ section of Menuetto and Trio (Allegretto). The finale gives rise to the single theme, but in two formats. The music no doubt suggests high spirits and energy, which is particularly interesting given that the composer was experiencing very difficult times exacerbated by the death of his only daughter in the summer of 1788.

Maestro Janowski (a well-recognized Brucknerian) and the Orchestra de l'Opera offered a splendid performance of Bruckner's Symphony 4. Mozart and Bruckner on the same program is troubling given pronouced differences between the two composers. Many aficionados praise the 4th Symphony as beautiful, but Bruckner is an acquired taste. An issue with the Symphony 4 is that ideas seem to be repetitive, however, restated or regenerated. Obviously, Bruckner has a well-earned seat at the table of great composers, but as a matter of perspective, his symphonies follow slow harmonic and thematic developments over extended periods of time and there are unresolved progressions. If you are expecting clear, and directed harmony, Bruckner is probably not for you. The many pauses and modulations might leave you feeling like you are wandering lost in a forest.