Haydn composed his first symphonies for Count Morzin's enlarged orchestra at Lukavec in Bohemia, where he was appointed Kapellmeister and Kammercompositeur.
Composer Biography
After leaving the choir school, Haydn spent eight years giving lessons to children and composing late into the night, which he credited for his progress.
Composer Biography
Joseph Haydn was dismissed from St. Stephan's Cathedral choir school in Vienna partly because his voice was breaking and he cut off a fellow pupil's ponytail.
Interpretation
Roy Goodman's performances of Haydn's symphonies observe all repeats and reassess tempo markings, particularly for Andante and Minuet movements, which are often played too slowly today.
Historical Context
While Haydn is traditionally called the 'father' of the symphony, the genre already existed, having evolved from Baroque concerto grosso, church sonatas, and Italian operatic overtures.
Interpretation
The Hanover Band performs on period instruments at a pitch of A = 430Hz, and the conductor, Roy Goodman, directs from the harpsichord for Haydn's early symphonies.
Composition History
The conventional numbering of Haydn's symphonies often does not reflect their actual chronology; for example, Symphonies Nos. 6, 7, and 8 were composed after many higher-numbered symphonies.
