- Haydn wrote Symphony No. 45 in f-sharp minor in 1772 and has a rather famous origin story:
- In 1772, Haydn was serving as Kapellmeister to Prince Nikolaus Esterházy. Esterházy and his court had long been residing in the prince’s summer palace, and the musicians under Haydn’s direction were eager to return home. Esterházy didn’t want to leave, so Haydn created Symphony No. 45 as a firm but diplomatic message to the prince that they wanted to go. In the fourth (final) movement of the symphony, one by one, each player is directed to blow out the candle on their music stand and leave after their part is finished. The musical act of protest worked, and the musicians were finally allowed to return home.1
Sources
- Orrin Howard, “Symphony No. 45, ‘Farewell,'” LA Phil, accessed January 30, 2026, https://www.laphil.com/musicdb/pieces/4007/symphony-no-45-farewell.
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