Heavenly! Haydn’s Surprise

Way back in the before times, I posted about Haydn’s Farewell Symphony, where in the last movement, the players say “Auf wiedersehen” and leave the stage one by one. Today, we’ll discuss an even better-known Haydn Symphony, the Surprise.

It’s best known for the second movement, where the Surprise itself happens. (If you’re unfamiliar with this piece, start listening at 8:25.where the second movement begins. You’ll know it when you hear it.). Haydn was later asked what led him to put it in, and with typical humor responded that a student of his was premiering a symphony at the same time, and Haydn didn’t want to be outdone. (The student, Ignace Joseph Pleyel, was quite successful during his lifetime,but nowadays is very obscure; I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of his works.)

But beyond all that, this symphony is a delight from the slow introduction all the way through the finale. I particularly like the gallivanting first movement, but there’s nothing not to like.