Franz Joseph Hadyn was one of the most influential composers of the late-eighteenth century. He is most well known for standardizing the symphony, and he also expanded its cultural significance by taking it out of the aristocracy and presenting it to the public. Nowadays we expect symphonies to be in 4 movements, but when Hadyn first began composing symphonies, he wrote them in 3. This was looking back to an older model, the sinfonia avanti l'opera. This symphony included a fast sonata-form movement, a slow movement, and a dance-like finale. His first symphony was based off of this model. Symphony No. 1 in D major was written in the time Hadyn worked as Kapellmeister for Count Morzin (1757-1761). There were about 5 other symphonies written in this period; No. 3 was the first in the format that would soon become the norm. It is uncertain if this was indeed his first symphony, as the composition years of the first few cannot be confirmed. Hadyn claims this to be his first, but there is question as to whether No. 2, No. 4, or even both were composed before No. 1. Either way, this symphony is a beautiful beginning to Hadyn's long and well-known career in the genre.
The movements in this symphony are in binary sonata form, as is the nature of countless of his other works. Movement 1 is a Presto and begins with a crescendo that was common in Italian opera overtures. It goes on to introduce many themes and intertwines the development into the exposition. He uses many techniques in dynamics, articulation, and tonality that would be staples of the Classical style. Movement 2 is an Andante, with dynamic and harmonic surprises. However, this movement nods to the Baroque era with its simple strings and pulsing bass line. The Presto finale is again in simple sonata form, with the secondary theme almost seeming like an embellishment of the primary. It is simple and short, and is a wonderful end to the beginning of the genre that Hadyn would soon monopolize.
Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ug2Og6j4ag
http://www.laphil.com/philpedia/music/symphony-no-1-joseph-haydn
http://imslp.org/wiki/Symphony_No.1_in_D_major,_Hob.I:1_(Haydn,_Joseph)
The Oxford History of Western Music pp. 418-420
I read an article on this piece talking about the Mannheim-like crescendo. It talked about the "safe" qualities of this piece, commenting on its nods towards the Baroque habits and standard form. The Mannheim crescendo was a progressive attribute to this work. I love that Hadyn basically became the authority on this genre and we can kind of see his progression in creating the pieces.
ReplyDeleteI love the Baroque-ness of this piece. Its like hey im a new thing but im still reppin that old school.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Hayden decided to only write 3 movements instead of 4 like the composers before him.
ReplyDeleteForgive me for being dumb, but is Haydn the first person to take away the symphony from just the higher class and presenting it to the public?
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