Jump to content

Symphony No. 4 (Haydn)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 4 in D major, Hob. I/4, is one of the earliest symphonies he wrote, believed to have been composed roughly between 1757 and 1761.

The work is scored for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns, strings and continuo.[1] As usual for the period, it is in three movements:

  1. Presto, 6
    8
  2. Andante in D minor, 2
    4
  3. Tempo di menuetto, 3
    8

The second movement features a syncopated second violin part.[2] The walking eighth-notes of the second violins are offset by half a step (a sixteenth note) from the first violins that play above it.[3]

The finale is marked Tempo di menuetto, but is not in the 3
4
time of a minuet, but in the 3
8
time which is typical of Haydn's other early symphonic finales.[2] Also, unlike other minuets, the movement lacks a central trio section.

References

[edit]

Citations

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
  • Hodgson, Antony (1976). The Music of Joseph Haydn: The Symphonies. London: Tantivy Press. ISBN 0838616844.
  • Landon, H. C. Robbins (1955). The Symphonies of Joseph Haydn. London: Universal Edition & Rockliff.
  • Landon, H. C. Robbins (1976). Haydn: Chronicle and Works. Volume 1. Haydn: the Early Years, 1732–1765. Bloomington & London: Indiana University Press.