Click here to listen to the opening bars of Mozart's 40th Symphony (6.5k MIDI File) Courtesy of Minni Ang These are the opening bars from Mozart's 40th Symphony - one of the most famous pieces of classical music ever written. Most people would recognize the tune immediately, even if they didn't know where it was from. However, few people would know the circumstances of the piece's composition, the musical structure behind it, or the life story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This is where we come in. The aim of The Symphony - An Interactive Guide is to provide a comprehensive resource for people wanting to expand their knowledge of the symphony - Western art music's richest and most important genre. The site features comprehensive biographies of the major symphonic composers, browseable by country or by an alphabetical list. And thanks to the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra and their conductor John Curro, live recordings of nine great symphonies can be heard on this site via RealAudio. Also included is a timeline showing musical events in their historical context, an explanation of musical forms and structures, and a complete guide to the instruments of the orchestra. We have included a strong interactive element in the site. Users can try our symphonic quiz, take part in our survey, or participate in our discussion board. We hope that you find your visit to The Symphony - An Interactive Guide to be an educational and enriching experience. Continue the Quick Tour