Description
Haydn arrived in London in February 1794 for his second stay in England. By this time, he had completed three movements of the Symphony in D major Hob. I:101, and the finished work premiered on March 3. The audience at the premiere noted the pendulum-like accompanying figure in the second movement, which a review explicitly mentioned as "The management of the accompaniments of the andante, though perfectly simple, was masterly." These even tick-tock oscillations captivated listeners, leading to the symphony's later nickname "Clock" in the 19th century. Even today, it's hard to hear the famous second movement without associating it with this moniker.
For those seeking to become more familiar with this symphony, this study edition is recommended. It provides reliable commentary on the work's genesis, sources, and edition, as well as an authoritative musical text from the Haydn Complete Edition.
