Symphony No. 58 in F major, Hoboken I/58, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn, composed probably around 1767 but certainly not after 1774, after which time the traits of this symphony were outmoded.[1] It is scored for two oboes, two horns and strings.
Symphony No. 58 was probably written by Haydn in 1767. At that time he worked as a conductor for Nikolaus I Esterhazy. If we compare Symphony No. 58 with Symphony No. 35, also written in 1767, No. 58 has the opposite structure. Ludwig Finscher described her like this:
"Symphonies No. 58 in F major and 35 in C major can be considered (...) as if it were a mirror pair of works: the symphony in F major moves from a leisurely, working performance with comic contrasts of the head part to a harmless andante to a completely eccentric one, with the wildest contrasts. the finale, played out in a limited space; between them is the famous "Minuet alla soppa" (...). The symphony in C major goes the opposite way: from the very dramatic headpiece, already in the exposition, to the melancholic andante and the finale, in which the notes of buffa sound“.[2]
The composition uses two oboes, two French horns, two violins, viola, cello, double bass. During the creation of the work, a bassoon and a continuo harpsichord were used to enhance the bass voice without a separate recording. However, there are different opinions about the participation of the harpsichord[3] .
The performance takes about 20 minutes (depending on the prescribed repetitions).
The unique distinction alla zoppa on the Menuet literally means "limping" which Haydn accomplishes with a dotted rhythm pushed into all sorts of asymmetrical patterns.[4] [5] This movement was also used in Haydn's Baryton Trio in D major (Hob 11/52).
A. Peter Brown has noted how the character of the first movement is very reminiscent of a minuet, and can be regarded as an "expanded Minuet". Brown has also commented that the overall nature of the work highly resembles a suite where all four movements are dance-like in nature.[6]