Symphony No. 83 in G minor, The Hen
Joseph Haydn
Work background
Researched classical background
Haydn's Hen Symphony is one of the six works commissioned for Paris. Its opening G-minor gestures contrast with a lighter theme whose repeated notes and oboe interjections later suggested a clucking hen. The nickname describes that local musical effect, while the complete four-movement score moves through a wider range of textures and eventually reaches a major-key conclusion.
A listening guide
Listen for the repeated notes and oboe figure associated with the nickname.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra
Composition: 1785
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: The Hen; La Poule; La Gallina
Date, title and version notes
The animal nickname is not a complete narrative programme.
Haydn2032: La Gallina
Paris symphony and Hen nickname | 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 Gallina
Paris symphony and Hen nickname | 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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