Expert: Marbeth - 12/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am only an avid music listener who got hooked on haydn a while ago. I have been trying to figure out the finale to this work, but have not found any good source, beginning with notes to the three or so recordings I currently own. are you aware of any published resource on this work? google hasn't been much help.

ANSWER: what sort of information do you want?  structure?  orchestration?
mb

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QUESTION: sorry, structure. It makes sense on an intuitive level but when I try listening for the structure I just don't get it. it seems to be some sort of odd variant on a sonata movement, but more episodic than is normally the case. haydn is definitely less predictable than the other classical composers, but it's rarely just a frolic of his own, i.e., just a random adventure.

ANSWER: I don't have that specific symphony, so I'll have to nose around and see if a friend has it to lend.

If you have a link to the last mv, it would be faster for me to give you an answer.

I think you're certainly on the right track about sonata form.

Sometimes composers (H, in particular) take flights of fancy that bear very little resemblance musically to any other portion of the work.  Sort of an "internal coda."  (If these sections are quite florid/flamboyant virtuosic, they're more like cadenzas.) Often, codas have different melodic material than the mv itself (I'm talking symphonic as well as solo works, such as a pinao sonata).  These side trips can sometimes be quite lengthy, thus disrupting the "expected" thematic and harmonic structure.  I think this is probably what's happening in #97.  

Also note that Haydn and Mozart have many transitional elements in them (to Romantic period) - - which is what we'd expect.  If you look at Beethoven's first piano sonatas (when he was studying with H), you will see the same amalgam.  In B's case, however, it's more of an echo of the classical characteristics.  It may be that what you detect is an example of this transitional time.

I will hunt for #97, as I said, but if you have a link, that would be most helpful.  Even a YouTube link would be helpful.  I just need to hear it, not evaluate performance.  Let me know about the link so I know you've gotten this response, and I'll let you know where I am in The Search.  mb


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QUESTION: oh, well I was really looking for some guidance on where to get an insight. I can't find a link, but can I somehow send a lo-fi po3? failing that I might be able to use a friend's website to host the file. I confess to having heard all of Haydn's symphonies more than once, though his quartets are actually better works. the symphonies give a better perspective on his development, but you have to take into account that below about #50 the numbering is all screwed up.

Answer
No joy on the link you sent separately....tho the graphics were certainly a surprise!  How about the other option with your friend's site?

I have asked a couple of students with extensive CD libraries to hunt around for #97.  Still workin' the problem!

Have you listened to his trios?!  Fabulous stuff, esp if you like the string 4tets.
mb