Symphony No. 12 (Haydn) Explained

The Symphony No. 12 in E major (Hoboken I/12) is a symphony by Joseph Haydn. The symphony was composed in 1763, at the age of 31, under the patronage of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy.^[1]

It is scored for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns, strings and continuo.^[2] The symphony is homotonal and in three movements:

1. Allegro,
2. Adagio, in E minor
3. Presto,

The second movement is in "siciliano", or rocking rhythm,^[3] similar to the pastoral slow movements of Symphonies 27 and B.

Notes and References

1. Antony Hodgson, The Music of Joseph Haydn: The Symphonies. London: The Tantivy Press (1976): 202. The chart places No. 12 in 1763, in boldface, indicating the presence of an autograph score.
2. [H. C. Robbins Landon]
3. H. C. Robbins Landon, Haydn: Chronicle and Works, 5 vols. (Bloomington and London: Indiana University Press, 1976–) v. 1: "Haydn: The Early Years, 1732–1765":