1773: Haydn: Symphony No. 50 in C major, age 42

Adam Fischer

1. Adagio e maestoso – Allegro di molto
2. Andante moderato, in G major
3. Menuetto e Trio
4. Presto

Movements:

1. Adagio e maestoso – Allegro di molto
2. Andante moderato, in G major
3. Menuetto e Trio
4. Presto

Instruments:

• 2 oboes,
• 2 horns,
• 2 trumpets,
• timpani and
• strings

It is possible that the first two movements of this symphony were reconstructed from a marionette opera by Haydn called Der Gotterath (Prologue to Philemon and Baucis), now lost. The marionette show was performed for the Empress Maria Theresa in 1773.

Given that Empress Maria Theresia held rather conservative tastes in music and that this symphony is in some ways less “advanced” than No. 48, scholars such as H. C. Robbins Landon have suggested that No. 50 may be the symphony Haydn wrote for the imperial visit to Eszterháza.