Haydn Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, "Farewell"

In 1772, Prince Esterházy, whom Haydn served, stayed at his summer palace in the Hungarian countryside far longer than usual. The orchestra members who had come along were itching to go home to their families.

Haydn put this request into the symphony's last movement instead of words. Just when the finale seems to end, a slow Adagio begins, and as each player finishes their part, they snuff out the candle on their stand and leave the stage one by one. In the end only two violins remain, Haydn's and the concertmaster Luigi Tomasini's. The prince is said to have understood the message and given the players a holiday.