‘Father of the Symphony’, Joseph Haydn, was one of the most prolific symphony writers in history, writing an astonishing 108 symphonies during his lifetime. Born in Austria in 1732, Haydn spent much of his life as the Kapellmeister to the immensely wealthy Esterhazy family, where all music was composed for the court orchestra, as entertainment for the family or to be performed with the family.
1779, following a renegotiation of his contract to allow him to sell his work and compose for musicians outside of the Esterhazy family, saw Haydn soar in international popularity, and a flurry of commissions followed. Having already composed his symphonies 82-87 (The Paris Symphonies) in 1785-6 for the Concert de la Loge Olympique, a further commission followed.
Symphony No. 90, written in 1788, forms the first in a three-symphony commission from Count d’Ogny Claude-François-Marie Rigoley, a French nobleman, patron of the arts and founder of the Concert de la Loge Olympique, and with its plethora of affluent patrons, the Concert de la Loge Olympique had an orchestra considered to be one of the best in Europe. The symphony features a modest woodwind and brass section alongside strings and timpani, and is filled with elegant, virtuosic and sprightly melodies, and some of the most exquisitely charming solo writing for the flute, oboe and bassoon.
Programme Note © Amy Campbell
