Ignaz Joseph Pleyel (1757-1831) is best known for the piano factory he founded in 1807. Yet this Viennese-born composer, a pupil of Joseph Baptist Vanhal and Joseph Haydn, enjoyed great success in Europe. His most productive period in terms of musical works was between 1783 and 1795, when he was in the service of Strasbourg Cathedral and also organised public concerts.

This symphony in D Major, composed in 1785, is typical of his work: in the tradition of his master Haydn, the orchestral writing is highly formal and rich in ingenious development. He added two oboes (or two flutes) and two horns to the strings. The four-movement form is classical: Allegro assai, Andante, Minuetto allegretto and trio, Rondo Allegro finale.