Symphony No. 20 (Michael Haydn) Explained

Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 20 in C major, Perger 12, Sherman 20, MH 252, written in Salzburg in 1777, is one of the few of his symphonies to have a slow movement in a minor key, and one of his few C major symphonies to not include trumpets or timpani.

Scored for 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns and strings, in four movements:

1. Allegro molto
2. Andante, in A minor
3. Menuetto e Trio, both in F major
4. Presto

Discography

An LP was released in 1983 on EMI by the Bournemouth Sinfonietta conducted by Harold Farberman.^[1] This was reissued on Vox Box CDX 5020. There is also a recording by the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra of Budapest, conducted by János Rolla, on Teldec 8.43188 (no longer available).

Notes

1. Sherman (1982): lxvi

References

• A. Delarte, "A Quick Overview Of The Instrumental Music Of Michael Haydn" Bob's Poetry Magazine November 2006: 20 PDF
• Charles H. Sherman and T. Donley Thomas, Johann Michael Haydn (1737 - 1806), a chronological thematic catalogue of his works. Stuyvesant, New York: Pendragon Press (1993)
• C. Sherman, "Johann Michael Haydn" in The Symphony: Salzburg, Part 2 London: Garland Publishing (1982): lxviii