Mozart's Top 10 Works

blue portrait of Mozart with a 10 and text "top ten" superimposed

It’s a nearly impossible task. Picking a favorite, a top 5, or a top 100 out of Mozart's immense catalog of music is no small feat, and it’s not one that any single person could do by themself. That’s why we turned to all WFMT hosts, producers, staff, and more to weigh in on their best-loved Mozart pieces and recordings. We hope you’ll enjoy our ranking of Mozart’s top 10 works.

Great Mass in C Minor

K. 427/417a, written 1783

WFMT music director Oliver Camacho says:

When looking for a great recording of the Mass in C minor, it’s all about the Soprano I soloist who sings the Kyrie and Et incarnatus est. Luckily there are many outstanding recordings to choose from. One of the recordings I recommend is Barbara Bonney with Claudio Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic for purity of tone and immaculate intonation.

Horn Concerto No. 4 in E-flat Major

K. 495, written 1786

This 15-minute concerto was written in honor of the composer's friend, horn player Joseph Leutgeb.

Essential Recording:

Symphony No. 40 in G Minor

K. 550, written 1788

Sometimes called the "Great G Minor Symphony," this work was completed in a particularly productive spell — in the span of just a few weeks, he also completed his 39th and 41st symphonies. The work was particularly cherished by Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert.

WFMT Program Host Kerry Frumkin's recommended recording:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Serenade No. 13

K. 525, written 1787

This composition is about as famous as it gets. Inscribed in popular imagination — in large part because of the work's charismatic opening movement, the title means "A Little Night Music." Despite its current status, it was not published until more than 35 years ater the composer's death.

Essential Recording:

“Gran Partita” Serenade No. 10 for Winds in B-flat Major

K. 361/370a, written 1781

This seven-movement work sticks out in part because of its distincitve instrumentation: twelve winds and a string bass. The longform serenade's title is actually a misspelling — evidence shows "Gran Partita" was not written in Mozart's handwriting.

WFMT Music Database Assistant Tad Hassa's essential recording:

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

K. 620, written 1791

A fantastical tale combines humor, magic, and hope, and it contains some of Mozart's most affecting music.

WFMT Music Director Oliver Camacho's essential recording:

Don Giovanni

K. 527, written 1787

Mozart's epic tale depicts hubris, lust, and revenge, all contributing to an opera that is among the most performed today.

WFMT production assistant Weston Williams's essential recording:

Requiem

K. 626, written 1791

Mozart's grand-scale mass was unfinished at the time of the composer's death, but the work's patron, Franz von Walsegg, turned the work over to composer Franz Haver Süssmayr to complete. The work is the basis of one of the most famous scenes of Amadeus; however, the idea that Antonio Salieri played a hand in completing the work has been debunked.

Weston Williams, WFMT production assistant, says:

The Harnoncourt Requiem recording is a favorite!

Jupiter Symphony No. 41 in C Major

K. 551, written 1788

Among the greatest symphonies in the classical canon, the exuberant work has stood the test of time like few others.

Essential Recording:

Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro)

K. 492, written 1786

WFMT music director Oliver Camacho says:

It is nearly impossible to beat the cast assembled for the Decca recording of Figaro conducted by Georg Solti. Kiri Te Kanawa, a luscious and tragic Countess at the peak of her expressive powers; Lucia Popp with perfect intonation and sparkle in her voice as Susanna; Frederica von Stade (has there ever been a more charming Cherubino?); Samuel Ramey — another iconic American singer with an unmistakable tone — as Figaro; and Thomas Allen as an erudite, determined Count. There are more stylish and briskly paced sets that have come out since its 1982 release, but none with such a deep roster of greats.

Essential Recording: