Symphony No. 49 in F minor, La Passione
Joseph Haydn
Work background
Researched classical background
Haydn's Forty-ninth begins with a full slow movement rather than a short introduction. A fast movement, minuet and quick finale follow, all maintaining close links to the home key. This older slow-fast sequence gives the work an unusual profile among familiar Classical symphonies. The later La Passione title has encouraged interpretations that the surviving title evidence alone cannot confirm.
A listening guide
Notice how the opening Adagio establishes a world that the faster movements continue to revisit.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1768
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: La Passione; The Passion
Date, title and version notes
The nickname does not establish a sacred Passion narrative or specific theatrical origin.
Haydn2032: La Passione
1768 symphony, movement order and nickname history | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Haydn2032: Symphony Index
Catalogue identifiers, date estimates, movement headings and scoring; dates treated as estimates when marked uncertain | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Haydn2032: La Passione
1768 symphony, movement order and nickname history | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Haydn2032: Symphony Index
Catalogue identifiers, date estimates, movement headings and scoring; dates treated as estimates when marked uncertain | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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