Symphony No. 25 (Haydn) Explained

The Symphony No. 25 in C major, Hoboken I/25, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn.The symphony was most likely composed in 1763, or at the very earliest in 1761, at about the same time as No. 33.^{[1] [2]}

It is scored for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns, strings and continuo,^[3] and unlike most C major symphonies by Haydn lacks trumpets and timpani.^[4] The work is in three movements:

1. Adagio, — Allegro molto,
2. Minuetto & Trio,
3. Presto,

Unusually among Haydn's symphonies, this work lacks a slow movement, but it is partially compensated by the slow introduction.

Notes and References

1. Antony Hodgson, The Music of Joseph Haydn: The Symphonies. London: The Tantivy Press (1976): 202. The chart places No. 25 in 1763, with an arrowhead pointing back to 1761.
2. [H. C. Robbins Landon]
3. (Landon, 1955): 653. "2 ob., 2 cor., str. [fag., cemb. ]."
4. (Hodgson, 1976): 63. "Although the key is C major this is not one of the Festive Symphonies: the horn soli in the Trio are modest and tuneful but in no way spectacular."