Joseph Haydn

Symphony in F major Hob. I:89

According to his dating of the autograph, Haydn composed the Symphony no. 89 in F major in 1787, just one year after the six so-called Paris symphonies. It was written, together with its sister work, the G-major Symphony no. 88, for the violinist Johann Tost, who sold it to the Parisian publisher Sieber. In both works, Haydn continues the compositional achievements of the Paris symphonies: mastery of orchestration, richness of musical ideas and details, and an idiosyncratic, multicoloured use of the wind section (which still makes do without clarinets). In contrast to the buoyant G-major symphony, the F-major symphony possesses a rather pastoral, sweet character, which in parts can nevertheless soar to dramatic heights. This study edition reproduces the musical text of the Haydn Complete Edition, which is a guarantor of the finest scholarship. An informative preface and a brief critical report make this handy score an ideal companion for all Haydn fans, both present and future.