1784: Haydn: Symphony No. (NO NAME) 79 in F major, age 52, T1

1784: Haydn: Symphony No. (NO NAME) 79 in F major, age 52, T1

A trio of symphonies:

This is the first of a trio of symphonies written just before the Paris Symphonies. These three symphonies were specially written for performance in March 1785.

Instruments:

• flute, two oboes, two bassoons
• two horns
• strings

Movements:

1. Allegro con spirito, F major
2. Adagio cantabile – un poco allegro, Bb major
3. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto, F major
4. Finale: Vivace, F major

1st movement

The plan for these three symphonies that belong together, No. 79-81, seems to be no intro, so perhaps the whole intro idea started a bit later in the Paris symphonies. Also, the instrumentation of this trio of symphonies is the same – no clarinet, trumpet or timpani, so it’s a smaller group.

2nd movement

The second half of the slow second movement is not slow at all and has a tempo more typical of a later movement, making the form or feel highly unusual

3rd movement

The unusual thing here is that much of the minuet is in six bar phrases, where the first four present something, then the last two echo two of them.

4th movement

The finale is a rondo with two themes. The first theme has a gypsy flavor.