Symphony No. 16 (Michael Haydn)

Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 16 in A major, Perger 6, Sherman 16, Sherman-adjusted 17, MH 152, was written in Salzburg in 1771. This work was at one time attributed to Joseph Haydn, the ninth work in A major so attributed in Anthony van Hoboken's catalog.

Scored for 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns and strings. In four movements:

# Allegro molto
# Minuet and Trio (in A minor)
# Andante (in D major)
# Allegro molto

The placement of the Minuet second, before the slow movement, is unusual in Haydn's symphonies, though there is one other specimen, the Symphony No. 15, which scholars are fairly certain is a close contemporary to this one. The corresponding placement of the Scherzo second in the Romantic era, despite Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, remained rare until Anton Bruckner (Symphonies No.s 8 and 9 and Gustav Mahler (Symphonies No.s 1 and 6).

Discography

This work is included in a set of 20 symphonies on the CPO label with Bohdan Warchal conducting the Slovak Philharmonic, on disc 4. It is also available in a performance by the London Mozart Players conducted by Matthias Bamert on the Chandos label, the Capella Savaria conducted by Pál Németh on the Hungaroton label, and the Franz Liszt Kammerorchester conducted by Janos Rolla on Teldec.

References

* A. Delarte, "A Quick Overview Of The Instrumental Music Of Michael Haydn" "Bob's Poetry Magazine" November 2006: 18 [http://bobspoetry.com/Bobs03No.pdf PDF]
* Charles H. Sherman and T. Donley Thomas, "Johann Michael Haydn (1737 - 1806), a chronological thematic catalogue of his works". Stuyvesant, New York: Pendragon Press (1993)
* C. Sherman, "Johann Michael Haydn" in "The Symphony: Salzburg, Part 2" London: Garland Publishing (1982): lxv