Der schulmeister haydn biography

Symphony No. 55 (Haydn)

The Symphony No. 55 in E♭ major, Hoboken I/55, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn, composed by 1774.

der schulmeister haydn biography5

It is scored for 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 horns and strings. It is in four movements:

  1. Allegro di molto, 3
    4
  2. Adagio ma semplicemente, 2
    4 in B♭ major
  3. Menuetto & trio, 3
    4
  4. Finale: Presto, 2
    4

The second movement is a theme with seven variations.

Keeping with the semplicemente marking, the theme is quite simple and is in two halves. A recurring contrast amongst the variations is between those that are staccato (theme, 2 & 3) and those that are more legato (1, 4, 5).

Haydn: Symphony No. 55 in E-Flat Major "Der Schulmeister ...

The variations overlap twice (theme with variation 1, variation 3 with variation 4) in that the first half for the two variations in sequence followed by the second half for each. Both times this is done to contrast a staccato variation with a legato one. For the most part, the movement is for muted strings only, with notable wind ou Symphony No.55 in E-flat major, Hob.I:55 (Haydn, Joseph) TIB