Symphony No. 99 (Haydn)

The Symphony No. 99 in E-flat major (Hoboken 1/99) is the seventh of the so-called twelve London Symphonies (numbers 93-104) written by Joseph Haydn. It was completed in 1793. Although not as well known as the more famous nicknamed London Symphonies, which include the "Surprise," the Military, the "Clock," and the "Drumroll," No. 99 remains nevertheless one of his most original creations.

Movements

The work is in standard four movement form and scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani and strings.

It is the first of Haydn's symphonies to be scored for clarinets.

*I. Adagio - Vivace assai
*II. Adagio
*III. Menuetto e Trio. Allegretto
*IV. Finale: Vivace

The introduction to the first movement prepares two successive minor-mode keys (E minor and C minor) before deftly switching back to the correct key at the last possible moment, adding a touch of averted melodrama that is revisited with typically comic effect at various points in the symphony.

A hallmark of the symphony is Haydn's imaginative use of the wind choir, used to particularly poignant effect in the slow movement, in which some have found an elegy to mark the passing of his dear friend Marianne von Genzinger.Fact|date=June 2008 If this was indeed Haydn's intention, his unusual use of trumpets in a slow movement must seem all the more surprising.

External links

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