The tempestuous minor key sensibility of Haydn’s Symphony No. 39 (1765) buzzes with the energy of the ‘sturm und drang’ (storm and stress) movement sweeping literature and art at the time. In the Keyboard Concerto No. 11, from nearly 20 years later, we hear the influence of Mozart on Haydn in the enterprise of the writing for the solo instrument and the famous ‘Rondo all’Ungarese’ finale.
Symphony No. 102 composed for Haydn’s celebrated London series in 1794 crowns his symphonic output. It provides the perfect encapsulation of all the qualities that made his creative achievement so monumental: dynamic and driving, flowing with gorgeous melodies, foot-stomping dances and Haydn’s trademark jokiness.
