Symphony No. 83 (Haydn)

The Symphony No. 83 in G minor (Hoboken 1/83) is the second of the six so-called Paris Symphonies (numbers 82-87) written by Joseph Haydn. It is popularly known as The Hen ( _fr. La poule).

Date of composition and scoring

It was completed in 1785 as one of the Paris symphonies.

The work is in standard four movement form and scored for flute, two oboes, two bassoons, two horns, continuo (harpsichord) and strings.

Nickname (the Hen)

The nickname comes from the clucking second subject in the first movement, which reminded listeners of the jerky back-and forth head motion of a walking hen. [Ethan Mordden, "A Guide to Orchestral Music: The Handbook for Non-Musicians". New York: Oxford University Press (1980): 82.]

Movements

* I. Allegro spiritoso
* II. Andante
* III. Menuet: Allegretto - Trio
* IV. Finale: Vivace

References

*Bernard Harrison, "Haydn: The "Paris" Symphonies" (Cambridge University Press, 1998)
*H.C. Robbins Landon, "The Symphonies of Joseph Haydn" (Universal Edition and Rockliff, 1955)
*DP Schroeder, "Haydn and the Enlightenment: the late symphonies and their audience" (Oxford University Press, 1997)

See also

*List of symphonies by name