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.
Composed under the patronage of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, it dates from the late 1760s and reflects Haydn's early exploration of minor key symphonic writing. It is one of his earliest symphonies written in this key.