Symphony No. 90 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 90 in C major, Hoboken 1/90, was written by Joseph Haydn in 1788 as part of a three-symphony commission by Comte d'Ogny for the Concerts de la Loge Olympique.[1] It is occasionally referred to as The Letter R -- referring to an older method of cataloguing Haydn's symphonic output.
Movements
The symphony is in standard four-movement form and scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, continuo (harpsichord) and strings.
- Adagio - Allegro assai, 3/4
- Andante, 2/4
- Menuetto: Allegretto, 3/4
- Finale: Allegro assai, 2/4
The second movement is in double variation form.
The finale contains one of Haydn's more famous jokes. Soon after the recapitulation starts, the music arrives at a rousing and unexpected "ending" in C major followed by four measures of silence which leads the audience to believe the symphony may have actually finished. Instead, the first theme quietly resumes in the remote key of D-flat major.[2]
Notes
References
- Robbins Landon, H. C. (1963) Joseph Haydn: Critical Edition of the Complete Symphonies, Universal Edition, Vienna
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