1780: Haydn: Symphony No. 63 in C major (LA ROXELANE), age 38, GA
The nickname:
This is the title of the second movement, , named for Roxelana, the influential wife of Suleiman the Magnificent of the Ottoman Empire. This second movement was originally part of Haydn’s incidental music for Charles Simon Favart’s stage work Soliman der zweite (or Les Trois Sultanes) in which Roxelana was a character.
Instruments:
There are two versions of this symphony: the so-called “first version” is scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings, while the “second version” has the same scoring but with only one bassoon and no trumpets or timpani. Part of the reason for this rescoring was the departure of bassoonist Ignatz Drobny from Eszterháza, leaving Haydn’s orchestra with only one bassoon.[3]
Movements
The two versions are not only differently scored; the third and fourth movements of the two versions are also totally different. The first version of the finale is based on an old fragment from c. 1769–73 and is viewed by some musicologists as a stop-gap to perhaps complete the symphony early to fulfill the need for a performance.[3]
Movements 1st version:
1. Allegro
2. “La Roxelane” Allegretto (o più tosto allegro)
3. Menuetto & Trio
4. Finale: Prestissimo
Movements 2nd version:
1. Allegro
2. “La Roxelane” Allegretto (o più tosto allegro)
3. Menuetto & Trio
4. Finale: Presto.