The back story on the Linz symphony

I heard this in its entirety on a long Maryland drive today.  The introduction was informative;  there are many different ways to show that Mozart was a musical genius (stating the obvious), but writing an entire symphony in four days and having it performed  - amazing.  Amadeus indeed.


Symphony No. 36 in C major, K. 425, "Linz"

Of the music he [Mozart] composed in Linz, and the hospitality he enjoyed there, he wrote to his father with some excitement on October 31:

"When we arrived at the gates of Linz, a servant was standing there to conduct us to the Old Count Thun's, where we are still living. I really cannot tell you how they overwhelm us with kindness in this house. On Thursday, the Fourth of November, I am going to give a concert in the theater, and, as I have not a single symphony by me, I am writing away over head and ears at a new one, which must be ready by then."

The Symphony in C major composed for that occasion, apparently in the incredibly brief period of four days, is clearly Mozart's finest work in this form up to that time; it marked the beginning of a new and magnificent phase for him as a symphonist.