Symphony No. 88 in G major
Joseph Haydn
Work background
Researched classical background
Haydn's Eighty-eighth follows the Paris symphonies and precedes his London visits. Trumpets and timpani are held back from the first movement, making their entrance in the Largo especially conspicuous. The slow movement grows from a recurring songlike melody, while a rustic minuet and a lively finale give the four-movement work strongly differentiated characters.
A listening guide
Listen for the delayed arrival of trumpets and drums in the Largo.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: Circa 1787-1788
Haydn2032 marks the dating as uncertain around 1787-88; other programme sources differ.
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.
Date, title and version notes
The exact composition year is uncertain; the displayed range follows the specialist catalogue.
Haydn2032: Symphony Index
Catalogue identifiers, date estimates, movement headings and scoring; dates treated as estimates when marked uncertain | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sydney Symphony: Mozart and Haydn programme
Symphony No.88 musical guide; date differs from Haydn2032 and is not used as definitive | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Haydn2032: Symphony Index
Catalogue identifiers, date estimates, movement headings and scoring; dates treated as estimates when marked uncertain | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sydney Symphony: Mozart and Haydn programme
Symphony No.88 musical guide; date differs from Haydn2032 and is not used as definitive | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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