Symphony No. 74 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 74 in E-flat 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:
- Vivace assai
- Adagio cantabile in B-flat major
- Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto, 3/4
- Finale: Allegro assai, 6/8
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]
Notes
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. ISBN 0-19-866216-5