François-Joseph Gossec is one of the most influential figures in the history of the symphony in 18th-century France. An innovative composer and a great genius of orchestration, he also dedicated himself to forming and conducting the most renowned orchestras of his time: the Concert des Amateurs, where he championed the Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the famous Concert Spirituel, the Opéra etc

The opus 12 symphonies were composed in 1769 for the Concert des Amateurs, which Gossec had recently founded. They followed five previous opuses of six symphonies each. For the first time, the wind parts achieved true thematic and orchestral autonomy. The modified instrumentation was used to highlight the contrasts, the alternation of themes and the flow of ideas. They were very successful and were published several times in Paris and London during the 18th century. Short in duration and requiring only a small ensemble (strings, horns and oboes, the latter replaced by clarinets in opus 12 no. 5), these pieces are suitable for any orchestra familiar with the classical repertoire.