This symphony, begun in 1916, was completed in 1917. The first performance was at Leningrad by the orchestra now known as the State Orchestra. The first performance in the United States was at a concert of the Russian Symphony Orchestra in New York, in December, 1918.

The symphony, scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, kettledrums, and strings, is dedicated to Boris Assafieff, who, as Igor Gleboff, has written much about music. “The composer’s idea in writing this work was to catch the spirit of Mozart and to put down that which, if he were living now, Mozart might put into his scores.”[41]

I. Allegro, D major, 4-4 time. The chief theme is given to the first violins. A transitional passage has material for the flutes. Development follows. The second theme is for first violins. The development begins with use of the first subject. The transitional measures are taken up, later the second theme. The recapitulation opens in C major (strings). Then follows the transitional passage (D major) for the flute. The second theme is again for the strings. There is a short coda.

II. Larghetto, A major, 2-2 time. First violins announce the chief theme. There are episodes.

III. Gavotta: Non troppo allegro, D major, 4-4 time. The subject is given at once to strings and wood-wind. The trio is in G major (flutes and clarinets above an organ point for violoncellos and double basses). This subject is repeated by the strings.

IV. Finale: Molto vivace, D major, 2-2 time. The first theme is for the strings; the second, A major, for wood-wind.