It was written under the auspices of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, and is from the late 1760s, when Haydn began to experiment with minor key symphonic writing. It is also one of his first minor key symphonies.
This piece was composed during a period when Haydn began experimenting with composing in minor keys for his symphonies, specifically during the late 1760s. This work is among his first to be composed in this key.