Symphony No. 61 (Haydn) Explained

The Symphony No. 61 in D major, Hoboken I/61, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn. The autograph has survived and is dated 1776.^[1]

Movements

The symphony is scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, timpani and strings. There are four movements:

1. Vivace
2. Adagio, in A major
3. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto,
4. Finale: Prestissimo

The opening movement is colorfully orchestrated. Particularly notable is the second theme which starts with pulsating oboes and bassoon before the flute enters with a falling motif. The expositional coda also features a pulsating accompaniment against a chromatic rise in the strings.^[1]

Daniel Heartz has noted the "hunt"-like character of the final movement, and Haydn's greater mastery of rondo form compared to earlier symphonies.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Brown, A. Peter, The Symphonic Repertoire (Volume 2). Indiana University Press, pp. 171-172 (2002).
2. Heartz, Daniel, Haydn, Mozart, and the Viennese School, 1740–1780 (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1995), pp. 371–72.