Symphony no. 94 "Surprise"

The Symphony No. 94 in G major (Hoboken 1/94) is the second of the twelve so-called London symphonies (numbers 93-104) written by Joseph Haydn. It is usually called by its nickname, the Surprise Symphony, although in German it is more often referred to as the Symphony "mit dem Paukenschlag" ("with the kettledrum stroke"). The work is among the most popular of Haydn's symphonies and is frequently performed and recorded.

Nickname (the Surprise)

Haydn's music contains many jokes, and the 'Surprise' Symphony includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden loud chord in the theme of the variation-form second movement after a tranquil opening. The music then returns to its original quiet dynamic, as if nothing had happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the joke.

Composition and premiere

Haydn wrote the symphony in 1791 in London for a concert series he gave during the first of his two visits to England (1791–1792). The premiere took place at the Hanover Square Rooms in London on March 23, 1792, with Haydn leading the orchestra seated at a fortepiano.

As with Haydn's England visits in general, the premiere was greatly successful. One reviewer wrote that the symphony was "equal to the happiest of this great Master's conceptions." In his feeble old age Haydn remembered the premiere with nostalgia, recounting to his biographer Griesinger:^{[citation needed]}

...it was my wish to surprise the public with something new, and to make a debut in a brilliant manner, in order not to be outdone by my pupil Pleyel [who was leading a rival series of concerts] ...the first Allegro of my Symphony was received with countless bravos, but the enthusiasm reached its highest point in the Andante with the kettledrum stroke. Ancora, ancora! sounded from every throat, and even Pleyel complimented me on my idea.

Toward the end of his active career Haydn wove the theme of the second movement into an aria of his oratorio The Seasons (1801), in which the bass soloist depicts a plowman whistling Haydn's tune as he works.

Instrumentation

The Surprise Symphony is scored for a Classical-era orchestra consisting of two each of flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, trumpets, plus a timpani, and the usual string section consisting of first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.

In recent decades performances of the work on historical instruments have become popular.

A typical performance of the Surprise Symphony lasts about 23 minutes.

Movements

Like all of Haydn's "London" symphonies, the work is in four movements, marked as follows:

• I. Adagio - Vivace assai
• II. Andante
• III. Menuetto: Allegro molto
• IV. Finale: Allegro molto

The first movement has a lyrical 3/4 introduction precedes a highly rhythmic main section in 6/8 time. As with much of Haydn's work, it is written in so-called "monothematic" sonata form; that is, the movement to the dominant key in the exposition is not marked by a "second theme".

The second "surprise" movement, the Andante is a theme and variations in 2/4 time in the subdominant key of C major. The theme is in two eight-bar sections, each repeated. Haydn sets up the surprise, which occurs at the end of the repeat of the first section, by making the repeat pianissimo with pizzicato in the lower strings.

Four variations of the theme follow, starting with embellishment in sixteenth notes by the first violins, moving to a stormy variation in C minor with trumpets and timpani, then solos for the first oboist and flautist, and concluding with a sweeping and lyrical forte repeat in triplets.

In the coda section, the opening notes are stated once more, this time reharmonized with gently dissonant diminished seventh chords over a tonic pedal.

The third movement is a minuet and trio, in ternary form in the tonic key (G major). The tempo, Allegro molto, or very quickly, is of note since it marks the historical shift away from the old minuet (at a slower, i.e. danceable, tempo) toward the scherzo; by the time of his last quartets Haydn had started to mark his minuets presto.

The fourth movement is a characteristically rhythmic, energetic and propulsive Haydn finale. The movement is written in sonata rondo form with the opening bars appearing both at the beginning and in the middle of the development section. The stirring coda emphasizes the timpani.

See also

• List of symphonies by name

External links

• Symphony No. 94 is available in PDF format from MuseData.org
• Symphony No. 94: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.