Haydn's symphonies

English name

Joseph Haydn

Life

1732–1809

Country

Austria

Mainly active in

Esterházy court (Eisenstadt and Esterháza) · Vienna · visits to London

Symphony

104 symphonies

In a line

A Classical composer of the oratorio The Creation and the Salomon symphonies

Fun to know

• There are 104 numbered symphonies, but counting two more discovered later, the total is usually given as 106
• Nos. 6, 7, and 8 carry the titles "Morning," "Noon," and "Evening"
• In the last movement of No. 45, "Farewell," the players leave one by one, hinting that they wanted a holiday

7 symphonies

• Symphony No. 45, "Farewell"F-sharp minor · 1772 · about 25 minHe asked to go home, in music
• Symphony No. 94, "Surprise"G major · 1791 · about 23 minQuiet, then BANG! To wake up the dozers?
• Symphony No. 96, "Miracle"D major · 1791The "miracle" actually happened at a different piece, they say
• Symphony No. 100, "Military"G major · 1794 · about 25 minTriangle, cymbals, and bass drum march right in
• Symphony No. 101, "The Clock"D major · 1794 · about 30 minThe second-movement accompaniment ticks like a clock
• Symphony No. 103, "Drumroll"E-flat major · 1795 · about 30 minThe timpani opens alone with a rumble
• Symphony No. 104, "London"D major · 1795 · about 30 minThe last of more than 100 symphonies