Mr. Peabody Says:
The year 1765 was an amazing year for Haydn, but this symphony is a bit of a sleeper, not as radical or ear-catching as the others. The two recordings below are different in length because Fisher omitted some repeats, while Hogwood did not. Start with: Presto 4:28
Hogwood
- Allegro di molto 4:58
- Andante, in A major 7:52
- Menuetto e Trio (Trio in E minor) 4:30
- Presto 4:28
Total time: 21:48
Adam Fischer
- Allegro di molto 4:58
- Andante, in A major 4:22
- Menuetto e Trio (Trio in E minor) 3:14
- Presto 5:01
Total time: 17:35
Instruments:
- two oboes
- bassoon
- two horns
- strings
- continuo
Unusual 3rd movement:
In the middle of the minuet, the trio has more modal character, and apparently there is very open sound that invites a harpsichord improv. And Haydn may have done that, but apparently no one today dares tackle the task.
Someone said the sound is “strongly Balkan” in character due to an E minor to B minor modulation. I’d just say that this is modal, natural minor, and a bit unusual in this period, just another “out of the box” thing that Haydn did.