Symphony No. 79 in F major
Joseph Haydn
Work background
Researched classical background
Haydn's Seventy-ninth belongs to the group of symphonies numbered 79 to 81. Its slow movement begins as an Adagio cantabile but changes course into much quicker music, an unusual disruption of the expected movement character. The surrounding movements maintain a four-part symphonic outline while allowing sharp changes of texture, instrumental dialogue and pace within it.
A listening guide
Follow the abrupt acceleration within the second movement.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1784
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.
Haydn2032: Lamentatione project
1784 date and unusual internal tempo change in Symphony No.79 slow movement | 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: Lamentatione project
1784 date and unusual internal tempo change in Symphony No.79 slow movement | 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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