Classical Music Work of the Week - October 31, 2005

If it wasn't for the Haydn and Mozart class I took in college, I don't know when I would have discovered Haydn's Symphony No. 34 in d minor. Upon hearing it for the first time, it quickly became one of my favorite Haydn symphonies. Haydn's Symphony No. 34, a member of the Symphonies You Should Own list, is a truly classical symphony. Each movement perfectly balances and compliments one another, and every cadence is classically predictable. Unlike other symphonies, every movement is extremely enjoyable.

Haydn composed his Symphony no. 34 in d minor in 1767, during his employment with the Esterhazy family. Of the 104 symphonies Haydn composed, 80 were composed while he stayed with the Esterhazy's. Haydn's Symphony No.34 was the first symphony he composed in a minor key. Actually, only the first movement in the symphony is in d minor, while the remaining three are in D Major. Many music historians believe that this ground-breaking symphony was a foreshadow of Haydn's Sturm and Drang (Storm and Stress) movements later to come in the 1770's.

If you've never heard this symphony, I recommend finding a recording conducted by Adam Fischer. It will definitely spoil you. Adam Fischer brings out the true spirit of Haydn in every performance.

• I recommend this album:Haydn: Complete Symphonies / Adam Fischer, Austro-Hungarian Orchestra. You're getting high quality and a low price per symphony.

Post your thoughts and opinions about Haydn's Symphony No. 34 in d minor on the Classical Music Forum. Happy listening!