- Haydn composed this symphony in 1764. He had entered the service of the Esterházy family in 1761 as Vice-Kapellmeister. He would be promoted to Kapellmeister in 1766.1
- When Haydn wrote this symphony, his orchestra at the Esterházy palace consisted of about 15 musicians. Haydn directed the ensemble as lead violinist. The orchestra was expanded as Haydn’s career progressed.2
- In 1764 the orchestra consisted of (approximately) 6 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello, 1 bass, 2 oboes, 2 horns, 1 bassoon.
- Haydn’s orchestra in 1764 didn’t always include flutes, but Haydn chose to insert a lovely flute solo into the Adagio. Haydn frequently wrote parts like this to offer solo opportunities to instrumentalists at Esterházy.3
Sources
- Georg Feder and James Webster, “Haydn, (Franz) Joseph,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed October 22, 2019, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000044593.
- Ibid.
- Matthew Rye, liner notes to Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 24 et al, The Hanover Band, Roy Goodman, Helios 55116, CD, 2002.
Cut IDs
19787