Mozart composed his last three symphonies (nos 39-41) in the space of six weeks during the summer of 1788, at a time when he had sunk into poverty, regularly borrowing money from his friend Michael Puchberg and pawning household items. In recent years he had been organising many concerts in Vienna and was equally in demand as a teacher. Previously, in Prague, he had enjoyed the tremendous acclaim of his Marriage of Figaro (1786) and Don Giovanni (1787). Now, however, he struggled to find subscribers for the publication of three string quintets and faced what seemed to be the end of his Viennese concerts.

Apparently, in June 1788, Mozart planned a subscription series of concerts in Vienna for which he specially composed his last three symphonies, but there is absolutely no evidence that the performances actually took place. In a letter to Michael Puchberg, written in June that year, he does mention an imminent series of concerts, but it is believed that only one of the three works (possibly no.40) was performed in the composer's lifetime - in April 1791 at Vienna's Burgtheater.

Petr Popelka has been chief conductor of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra since the autumn of 2020, and since September 2022 chief conductor of Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra as well. He has conducted most major Norwegian orchestras and has made several appearances at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Petr Popelka is known for his insight and infectious enthusiasm whatever the music - with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra it has run the gamut from Viennese classicism to Norwegian pop artists. He has a special place in his heart for the most avant-garde music and he is himself a respected composer.

The Norwegian Radio Orchestra is known as "the whole land's orchestra" and is today regarded with a unique combination of respect and affection by its music-loving public. With its remarkably diverse repertoire, this is no doubt the orchestra most heard throughout the land - on the radio, television, and online, and at various diverse venues around the country.