Which nickname for Haydn's Symphony Number 94 comes from a sudden loud chord at the end of a quiet opening theme of the second movement?
Symphony No. 94 (Haydn) timpani, and the usual string section consisting of violins (first and second), violas, cellos, and double basses. Performances of the Surprise Symphony last about 23 minutes. Haydn's music contains many jokes, and the Surprise Symphony includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden fortissimo chord at the end of the otherwise piano opening theme in the variation-form second movement. The music then returns to its original quiet dynamic as if nothing has happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the joke. In German, the work is referred to as the Symphony "mit dem Paukenschlag", or, with the kettledrum
Symphony No. 74 (Haydn) Symphony No. 74 (Haydn) Symphony No. 74 in E major, Hoboken 1/74, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn composed in 1780 or 1781. The symphony is scored for flute, two oboes, bassoon, two horns and strings. There are four movements: The first movement opens in standard Italian style with three loud chords followed by a quiet response. The second theme group is based on an inversion of the quiet response. The second movement opens like a serenade with muted violins playing a melody over a guitar-like accompaniment in the cello. What follows is a set of three loosely structured variations