HAYDN’S SYMPHONIES
Background
Haydn (1732 – 1809) lived at a time when patronage
was a solid and secure way for composers to earn a
living. He spent most of his life in the service of Prince
Esterhazy – head of one of the wealthiest and most
powerful Hungarian families. Aristocratic families of
18th Century Austria had quite large entertainment
habits. On a pleasant summer night their estates might
attract scores, even hundreds of guests who stayed
the week or season. To entertain these visitors,
wealthy families often maintained small orchestras and groups. Haydn was obliged
to compose whatever music the prince demanded, to conduct the performances, to
train and supervise all the personnel and to keep the instruments in good repair. Two
operas and two long concerts were presented each week, as well as special
concerts for notable visitors plus almost daily chamber music. It’s not surprising,
then, that Haydn composed 104 symphonies!!
Haydn’s symphonies show growth from a short work of simple style to a larger, more
sophisticated work. Many of his symphonies are quite light and direct in style, others
are more serious. Many were written for a small circle of aristocrats rather than the
general public. Early symphonies have 3 movements but later 4 movements became
standard.
Use of Instruments
 His earliest symphonies were scored for 2 oboes, 2 horns, and strings with
occasional bassoon and flute.
 Clarinets were only used in the last 6 symphonies. Haydn wasn’t sure what to do
with them, so he gave them very little to play.
 The winds were used specifically in the Minuet & Trio movements.
 Trumpets were sometimes used and had independent parts, not just doubling the
horns.
 Timpani also used in some movements.
 Retained the use of the harpsichord until about 1770, then used the piano and
often conducted from the piano.
MOZART’S SYMPHONIES
Background
Mozart (1756 – 1791) lived at a time which
coincided with the rise of a strong middle class
culture. Music was no longer restricted to the
patronage of the Church or aristocracy. Rich
Impresarios (=a person who organizes and often
finances concerts, operas and plays) could
arrange public concerts, and so composers
could support themselves by giving concerts, teaching, accepting commissions and
publishing their works, although this didn’t offer as much financial security as the
Patronage system. Mozart chose to sacrifice financial security for professional
freedom. However, after gaining much popularity with his works, his life as an
independent artist was marked with financial insecurity. His music can be full of
Classical grace and charm, yet also contain dark, dramatic undercurrents.
Mozart wrote 41 symphonies. He was influenced by Haydn’s ideas but added new
approaches to the content and structure of the symphony. His symphonies were
written more for the salon than the concert hall. Early symphonies were short and
simple; the later symphonies were longer and more complex. Symphonies No. 39,
40 and 41 (Jupiter) are considered absolute masterpieces. They have the order and
control of the Classical age but seem to have an emotional depth of Romanticism.
Use of Instruments
 In earlier symphonies he used 2 flutes, 1 oboe, 2 bassoons and strings, and later
added clarinets.
 Mozart was one of the first composers to use the clarinet.
 Developed a new orchestral sound with a wider range of expression and more
sophisticated colouring – instead of using woodwind to double with the strings,
woodwinds were used for their tone colour and individual character.
 He would use the high register of the flute and clarinet and low register of the
oboe as these were the strongest registers at the time
 Bassoons were given more independent parts; they didn’t only play the bass line
 Was sparing in his use of the brass section.
BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIES
Beethoven’s music had more emotional intensity than
Haydn and Mozart. He is seen as the bridge between
Classical and Romantic music.
Background
Beethoven (1770 – 1827) had some lessons from
Haydn, from whom he inherited some styles and
musical forms. He was also influenced by Mozart. He
lived at a time when new and powerful forces were
abroad in society – which affected him and his work.
He was acknowledged throughout Europe as the foremost pianist and composer for
piano at the time, and was ranked with Haydn and Beethoven as a symphonist. He
was received on the highest terms of friendship by the highest noble families of
Vienna. He had devoted and generous patrons, but his relations with them were
different to those of Haydn and Mozart. Haydn was basically a servant, whereas
Beethoven treated them with independence and sometimes extreme rudeness, to
which they responded with “delighted offers of financial support!” He never had to
write music at anyone’s command and seldom had to meet a deadline (unlike
Haydn). He could afford to “think and think” as he put it, to revise and polish a work
as it suited him. It was because he wrote music for himself that his music seems so
strongly personal, an expression of himself.
Beethoven’s Style
Beethoven wrote music with much difficulty (his output is far less than Haydn or
Mozart’s). His music can be divided into 3 periods:
1. Up to 1800: Conformed to Classical traditions and forms.
Influenced by Haydn and Mozart.
6 String quartets, 11 piano sonatas, Symphony No. 1 and 2
2. 1800 – 1817: Freedom from Haydn and Mozart’s influence.
Seeking new techniques, idioms, forms
Symphony No. 3 – 8; 5 string quartets, Violin concerto, Fidelio (opera)
3. 1817 – 1827: New forms created. New personal style, much more Romantic.
Last piano sonatas, last string quartets, Symphony No. 9
Beethoven’s symphonies in general
 Differences in the styles of his symphonies are often attributed to his emotional
despair and triumph over his growing deafness.
 He used Classical forms in his symphonies, but expanded them beyond their
previous limits:
 He expanded the range of f and p
 Sf used to emphasise a point, either rhythmically or harmonically
 Used more dissonance for greater harmonic contrast and emotional intensity
 Rhythm is always a driving force
 Works were of greater length - a typical Haydn symphony = 25min vs
Beethoven’s 3rd symphony = 50min
 Symphony No. 1 and 2 follow Classical forms and structures
 Symphony No. 3, 5 and 8 are Classical in form and structure, but have a new
vitality and intensity. This is an important factor in the overall transition from
Classical to Romantic music.
 Later symphonies show more use of melodic material
o Development of themes and motives are more intense
 Introduced the Scherzo in place of the minuet in the third movement
 Program elements are seen:
o 3rd Symphony (Eroica) – generally associated with the concept of heroism
o 5th Symphony – generally seen as an overcoming of his fate (deafness)
o 6th Symphony (Pastorale) using titles for each movement which describes
scenes in the country
Use of Instruments
 added instruments not used before in symphonies for greater power and
brilliance
 3rd Horn added in No. 3
 3 Trombones, Piccolo and Contra-Bassoon all added in No. 5
 4th Horn used in No. 9
 added solo voices and a full choir to the symphony in No. 9, last movement “Ode to Joy”
 increases percussion in No. 9 (bass drum, triangle, cymbals) and timpani played
a more NB role
 all instruments play important parts (e.g. French Horn given prominent melodies
instead of just playing harmonies and the timpani no longer just mark the beat but
play an important part in the musical dialogue)
 woodwind instruments play far more melodic and important parts
 low strings far more prominent - no longer just play the harmonies
 ’cello is independent of double bass (had their own part, e.g. Symphony No. 6)
Symphony No. 6 – ‘Pastoral’
Composed in 1808, it was dedicated to two of Beethoven’s aristocratic friends – Prince
Lobkowitz and Count Rassumovsky. It was first performed at an all-Beethoven concert.
Beethoven wrote this symphony as a celebration of the countryside – he loved taking
walks. He was sent to Heiliganstadt by one of his doctors in the hope that his hearing
would improve. His joy at being in natural surroundings was matched by his despair when
he realized that his hearing would not improve. These strong emotions are expressed in
the Pastoral Symphony. The symphony is an early example of Romantic program music,
although Beethoven described it more as an “expression of feeling than a painting.”
The symphony was composed during his second period where he was seeking new ways
of expression. It has 5 movements instead of the traditional 4, and the 3rd, 4th and 5th
movements are linked together. Each movement has a title describing country scenes.