Haydn Symphony no.3 'Hornsignal'

Date

1765

Instrumentation

Strings, fute, 2 oboes, 4 horns

Overview

Written partly in celebration of his horn section at Eisenstadt returning to full strength. First mvt in particular marks this occasion with some humorous twists

Overall form

Follows standard 4 mvt pattern but the last mvt is gentler than usual and Haydn ties the whole work together by bringing back the horn material from the 1st mvt at the end of the finale

1st mvt

sonata form is more established so this allows Haydn to play around with it humorously. He begins the recapitulation in the tonic minor with new material, deliberately undermining both elements of the double return. Use of horns shows development of orchestration here to celebrate the return of the horn section to full strength after a delay in filling vacancies in Haydn’s orchestra at Esterhazy.

4th/final mvt

Ends with gentle set of 7 simple variations (relatively common) followed by a somewhat unexpected final presto section using material from 1st mvt which gives the horns another chance to shine.

Development of orchestra

Haydn adds a flute and 2 extra horns to the sinfonia a 8 configuration seen in his 2nd symphony. Continuo would have been added but less necessary as now the harmonies are filled in by orchestral instruments. In all mvts apart from first, haydn makes extensive use of soloists

Harmony/tonality

Recapitulation in 1st mvt starts in minor which undermines both elements of the double return

Drama/programme

Recapitulation in 1st mvt starts in minor which undermines both elements of the double return