1765: Haydn: Symphony No. 29 in E major, age 33

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

  1. Allegro di molto 4:58
  2. Andante, in A major 7:52
  3. Menuetto e Trio (Trio in E minor) 4:30
  4. Presto 4:28

Total time: 21:48

Adam Fischer

  1. Allegro di molto 4:58
  2. Andante, in A major 4:22
  3. Menuetto e Trio (Trio in E minor) 3:14
  4. 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.

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