Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 9 in C major, K. 73, was apparently among the first symphonies the 12-year-old composer wrote during his return to his hometown of Salzburg in 1769 after his second Italian tour. Scored for flutes, oboes, bassoons, and strings, plus horns, trumpets, and tympani, the Symphony in C major is a four-movement Germanic work with charm and weight in equal measure. The first theme of the opening Allegro starts with the full orchestra on the tonic, but quickly transforms into a long-breathed melody for the first violins. The movement is without repeats for the exposition and the development is in the Italian manner. The following F major Andante scored without bassoon, brass, or drums is a graceful movement with duets for the first flute and first violins. The full orchestra and the tonic major return for the following Menuetto, which has stately outer sections framing a light and delightful for strings alone. The closing Allegro molto (Rondeau) sounds more French than German or Italian, with its main theme like a fast one in a bar contradanse coupled with a gavotte-like courtliness.

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