Composer

:

Franz Joseph Haydn

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1774

Average_duration

:

24:46

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 60 in C major, H. 1/60, also known as "Il distratto," was composed in 1774. It premiered in the same year at the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria, where Haydn was employed as the court composer for the Esterházy family. The symphony is divided into four movements. The first movement, marked Adagio - Presto, begins with a slow introduction featuring a solo violin. The main section of the movement is a lively Presto in sonata form, with a memorable theme played by the strings. The second movement, marked Andante, is a lyrical and expressive piece featuring a solo oboe. The strings provide a delicate accompaniment, and the movement ends with a brief coda. The third movement, marked Menuetto, is a playful and dance-like scherzo. The trio section features a solo violin and a pizzicato accompaniment from the rest of the strings. The final movement, marked Presto, is a lively and energetic piece that features a number of musical jokes and surprises. The movement begins with a false start, followed by a series of abrupt stops and starts. The middle section features a solo violin playing a virtuosic cadenza, and the movement ends with a sudden and unexpected coda. "Il distratto" is known for its humor and lightheartedness, which is reflected in the playful and unexpected musical elements throughout the symphony. The title, which translates to "The Absent-Minded," refers to the final movement's musical jokes and Haydn's own reputation for being forgetful. Overall, Symphony No. 60 is a delightful and entertaining work that showcases Haydn's skill as a composer and his sense of humor.

More....