1757: Haydn: Symphony No. 2 in C major (“No repeats, please”), age 25

Mr. Peabody Says:

This is the only one of Haydn’s symphonies that contains no repeat signs. Symphonies have certain unwritten rules, and one is that certain things get repeated. Leaving out repeats makes things much quicker, and usually listeners want these repeats, to absorb what is happening in the music.

Count Morzin again:

This is another symphony composed under Count Morzin, and that means it could have been written as early as 1757. Three movement symphonies were usually early symphonies. It is also one of his shortest. The violas in the slow movement double the bass part throughout at an octave above, called  “col basso” – meaning play the same notes as the bass.

Nickname: “No repeats, please”:

This one has no nickname, so I’m giving it one!

Instruments:

  • 2 oboes
  • bassoon
  • 2 horns
  • strings
  • continuo

Adam Fischer

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