The four-note motive found in the opening of the Jupiter Symphony (1, 7, 4, 3) is also present in several of Mozart's earlier works, including, the Credo of the F Major Missa Brevis, K.192, the Sanctus of the C Major Mass, K.257, The Bb Major Symphony, K.319, and the Divertimento, K.439b/4. Most importantly, this motive is found in the second movement of the G Minor Symphony, which was composed simultaneously alongside the Jupiter. A voice reduction reveals that the opening eight-bar period is actually an elaboration of the opening of the Jupiter. Mozart employs a similar style of borrowing in the Piano Quintet in G Minor, K.478.

Works: Mozart: Missa Brevis, K.192, C Major Mass, K.257, Bb Major Symphony, K.319, Divertimento, K.439b/4 (25), K.550 (25-26), K.551 (26), K.478 (28); Strauss: Ein Heldenleben (29); Wagner: Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger (29); Mahler: Fifth Symphony (29); Brahms: C Minor Quartet, Op. 51/1, A Minor Quartet, Op. 51/2 (30).

Index Classifications: 1700s

Contributed by: Dana Gorzelany-Mostak