The Symphony No. 81 in G major (Hoboken 1/81) is a symphony by Joseph Haydn was composed in 1784 as part of a trio of symphonies that also included symphonies 79 and 80.
It is scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns and strings.
Vivace
Andante, 6/8
Menuetto and trio: Allegretto, 3/4
Finale: Allegro ma non troppo, 2/2
Although it is easy to explain in the framework of harmonic theory, for listeners at that time the beginning of Symphony No. 81 must have sounded fairly alien: over the tonic G in the repeated eighth notes of the basses the dissonant F is heard first, over which the suspended dissonant C is ushered in. The sound is only defined with the resolution of this C after B-natural, the various notes forming a seventh after the subdominant C major. It is undoubtedly this unusual edifice of principal themes which form the experimental centre of this entire first movement of Symphony No. 81: in the development Haydn uses increasingly bolder variants of appoggiaturas and "alien" harmonies. Like most of the introductory movements of the preceding symphonies No. 81 also has a incorrect reprise: the principle theme, which is simply passed over at this point, is heard again in its original form as a coda at the end of the movement. In the character of a siciliano, the second movement presents a mix consisting of variations and a tripartite melodic form, or a simple variation, the varying element consisting only of the figural play on the principle melody - in which a contrasting minor episode is inserted that has only remotely to do with the variations theme. The closing movement is a sonata movement again, its composition brisk and light with no stumbling blocks for intellectually challenged ears.
1 ноя 2011
