Symphony No. 69 (Haydn)
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The Symphony No. 69 in C major (Hoboken 1/69) was written by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as The Laudon.
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[edit] Date of composition and scoring
The work is in standard four movement form and is scored for two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani and strings.
[edit] Nickname (the Laudon)
The symphony is called Laudon because Haydn dedicated it to a military hero whose name was actually Loudon.
[edit] Movements
For Haydn, C major is the key of flash and flamboyance. The opening movement is marked vivace and features a contrast between a marchlike opening with large chords and a softer second theme. There is extensive use of brass. There are similarities between the opening theme of this work and the opening theme of Haydn's earlier "Maria Theresa" symphony. The second movement features the strings in a flowing theme with a darker-hued middle section. The minuet is one of stateliness and pomp where the trumpets return and give a military character to the movement. The finale opens quietly but soon develops to a vigorous conclusion. Haydn omitted this finale in reduction of this symphony he prepared for the piano. In doing so, he tartly observed to his publisher that the dedication to war hero Laudon was "worth more than ten finales".
