Symphony No. 74 (Haydn) Explained

Symphony No. 74 in E major, Hoboken 1/74, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn composed in 1780 or 1781.

Movements

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

1. Vivace assai,
2. Adagio cantabile in B major,
3. Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto,
4. Finale: Allegro assai,

The first movement opens in standard Italian style with three loud chords followed by a quiet response. The second theme group is based on an inversion of the quiet response.^[1]

The second movement opens like a serenade with muted violins playing a melody over a guitar-like accompaniment in the cello. What follows is a set of three loosely structured variations which avoid the simple strophic pattern of previous sets by allowing the lead-ins and interludes to overlap and a coda which features a small fugato.^[1]

The minuet features Lombard rhythms and the trio lets the first violin and the bassoon carry the melody.^[1]

The finale is gigue-like and in sonata form.^[1]

References

• Haydn: Chronicle and Works, 5 vols, (Bloomington and London: Indiana University Press, 1976–) v. 2, Haydn at Eszterhaza, 1766–1790
• Oxford Composer Companions: Haydn, ed. David Wyn Jones, Oxford University Press, 2002.

Notes and References

1. Brown, A. Peter, The Symphonic Repertoire (Volume 2). Indiana University Press, pp. 184–186 (2002).