Mozart composed Symphony No. 40 in July 1788, a time known as The Classical Period (1775-1825).  At the time, the Russian-Turkish War was fairly new, having begun a few months prior to Symphony No. 40’s creation.  As a result, the war affected the Aristocracy’s budget for the arts, leaving Mozart without steady work. He was forced to relocate his family to affordable housing, and relied on friends for loans.  

The Classical Era has been labeled, The Age of Enlightenment.  Philosophers wrote about human reasoning being a source to overcome worldly problems.  People adopting these new ideas caused conflict with old fashioned ways of thinking and living.  The art and music scene was changing with the times, as well. Public concerts broke out on the scene for the first time, in an attempt to provide entertainment and enjoyment for the typical, more common citizen.  Up until this point, music was strictly written for church and a source of entertainment for royalty. 

It’s difficult to say why exactly Mozart composed this piece during the Summer of 1788.  “Music is language”, therefore there’s a chance he was attempting to release his emotions due to the turmoil that was transpiring in his life.  He didn’t have steady work due to the war. His family relocated to inexpensive housing. His infant daughter recently passed. The man was probably experiencing a lot of loss, some of the utmost grief anyone could ever endure.  His life was unraveling and a war was being fought around him. Music serves us therapeutically. Composing music is an expressive way to convey and release feelings, as is the same for painters, other extensions of art and writing.  No doubt Mozart was very talented in his work, being highly regarded as the best to have existed. There is a possibility Symphony No. 40 was a result of chaos and turmoil surrounding his life, and quite possibly for his fellow countrymen affected by the war.  He composed three symphonies during the Summer of 1788; he clearly had a lot of influence and feelings to express. Perhaps his burst of work was an attempt to increase his income. The war affected artists in a profound way. It is said Mozart planned to host performances at one of Vienna’s casinos.  The casinos of his time were highly attended social clubs, not gambling houses as they are today. This was a way to attract audiences and to regain his financial status.  Mozart composed music, because he was a musical prodigy, it was his career and means of income.  He was highly regarded amongst his peers and composing was a way to uphold his reputation, express moods, feelings and reactions to the world around him.