Symphony No. 64 (Haydn)
Encyclopedia
The Symphony No. 64 in A major
(Hoboken I/64) is a symphony
by Joseph Haydn
dated between 1773 and 1775. The likely date of composition puts it at the tail end of the Sturm und Drang
period that produced masterpieces such as symphonies 44
to 48
. It is often known by the nickname Tempora mutantur.
, he placed the heading "Tempora mutantur, et.". The full version of this quote is Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis, and it is a traditional Latin
adage
.
Haydn likely knew this in the form
which translates to
by John Owen
, from his popular collection of Epigrammata published in 1615.
s, two horns
and strings
. There are four movements:
The opening of the first movement begins with two lyrical measures played pianissimo followed by a tutti outburst of four chords which is the reverse-order of the declamatory question/lyrical answer openings that Haydn used had used in recent symphonies such as numbers 44
, 46
and 65
. A wealth of transitional material follows before the second theme arrives in the dominant, colorfully scored for violins and violas played in octaves. High horn parts add brilliant color throughout the movement.
The Largo as so often in this period has muted strings. Its broad melody is punctuated by frequent short pauses, demonstrating an understated pleading and yearning quality which is so typical of Haydn. We are tricked into thinking the movement is for strings alone until the wind instruments interject powerfully half way through. The end of the movement is particularly effective with the first horn right at the bottom of its register and the second horn taking the melody from the violins. The mood changes to light and cheerful for the minuet and trio, while the final Presto is in the form of a Rondo.
Elaine Sisman has discussed Haydn's application of the principle of tempora mutantur, or "time out of joint", in the slow movement of the symphony.
A major
A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps.Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor...
(Hoboken I/64) is a symphony
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
by Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
dated between 1773 and 1775. The likely date of composition puts it at the tail end of the Sturm und Drang
Sturm und Drang
Sturm und Drang is a proto-Romantic movement in German literature and music taking place from the late 1760s through the early 1780s, in which individual subjectivity and, in particular, extremes of emotion were given free expression in reaction to the perceived constraints of rationalism...
period that produced masterpieces such as symphonies 44
Symphony No. 44 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 44 in E minor, Hoboken 1/44, was completed in 1772 by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as Trauer...
to 48
Symphony No. 48 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 48 in C major, Hoboken I/48, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn written in 1768 or 1769. The work has the nickname Maria Theresia as it was long thought to have been composed for a visit by the Holy Roman Empress, Maria Theresa of Austria in 1773. An earlier copy dated 1769 was later...
. It is often known by the nickname Tempora mutantur.
Nickname (Tempora mutantur)
The nickname is Haydn's own. On the orchestra parts prepared for this symphony at EsterházySchloss Esterházy
----The Schloss Esterházy is a palace in Eisenstadt, Austria, the capital of the Burgenland state. It was constructed in the late 13th century, and came under ownership of the Hungarian Esterházy family in 1622...
, he placed the heading "Tempora mutantur, et.". The full version of this quote is Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis, and it is a traditional Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
adage
Adage
An adage is a short but memorable saying which holds some important fact of experience that is considered true by many people, or that has gained some credibility through its long use....
.
Haydn likely knew this in the form
which translates to
by John Owen
John Owen (epigrammatist)
John Owen was a Welsh epigrammatist, most known for his Latin epigrams, collected in his Epigrammata.He is also cited by various Latinizations including Ioannes Owen, Joannes Oweni, Ovenus and Audoenus....
, from his popular collection of Epigrammata published in 1615.
Movements
The symphony is scored for two oboeOboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
s, two horns
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
and strings
String instrument
A string instrument is a musical instrument that produces sound by means of vibrating strings. In the Hornbostel-Sachs scheme of musical instrument classification, used in organology, they are called chordophones...
. There are four movements:
- Allegro con spirito
- Largo, 3/4
- MenuettoMinuetA minuet, also spelled menuet, is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in 3/4 time. The word was adapted from Italian minuetto and French menuet, and may have been from French menu meaning slender, small, referring to the very small steps, or from the early 17th-century popular...
& Trio: Allegretto, 3/4 - Finale: Presto, 2/2
The opening of the first movement begins with two lyrical measures played pianissimo followed by a tutti outburst of four chords which is the reverse-order of the declamatory question/lyrical answer openings that Haydn used had used in recent symphonies such as numbers 44
Symphony No. 44 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 44 in E minor, Hoboken 1/44, was completed in 1772 by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as Trauer...
, 46
Symphony No. 46 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 46 in B major, Hoboken I/46, was written by Joseph Haydn. It was composed in 1772 during Haydn's Sturm und Drang period.The work is scored for two oboes, bassoon, two horns and strings.The work is written in standard four movement format....
and 65
Symphony No. 65 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 65 in A major, Hoboken I/65, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn which was composed by 1778.-Movements:The symphony is scored for two oboes, two horns and strings...
. A wealth of transitional material follows before the second theme arrives in the dominant, colorfully scored for violins and violas played in octaves. High horn parts add brilliant color throughout the movement.
The Largo as so often in this period has muted strings. Its broad melody is punctuated by frequent short pauses, demonstrating an understated pleading and yearning quality which is so typical of Haydn. We are tricked into thinking the movement is for strings alone until the wind instruments interject powerfully half way through. The end of the movement is particularly effective with the first horn right at the bottom of its register and the second horn taking the melody from the violins. The mood changes to light and cheerful for the minuet and trio, while the final Presto is in the form of a Rondo.
Elaine Sisman has discussed Haydn's application of the principle of tempora mutantur, or "time out of joint", in the slow movement of the symphony.