Eusebius Mandyczewski To this day, Haydn's early symphonies remain an enigmatic chapter, as authentic manuscripts are scarce and contemporary sources are few and far between. The numbering system introduced by Eusebius Mandyczewski in 1907 has only exacerbated the uncertainty, as precise dating of the works remains problematic. The compilation of symphonies on this recording suggests that they were composed within a period of approximately seven years. These works offer insight into Haydn's development from his early compositions to his works for Esterháza.
The question of the origin of Haydn's first works remains unclear: Did they truly date from 1759, composed for Count Morzin, or could they have been written even earlier? Haydn apparently wrote symphonies even before his work for Morzin. The so-called Morzin Symphonies were presumably composed between 1757 and 1761; Symphony No. 17 may have been written for Morzin or, later, for Prince Esterházy.
During his time with Morzin, Haydn led a small orchestra that performed in Vienna during the winter and in Lukawitz during the summer. Symphony No. 18 stands out from the others due to its church sonata-like style, while Nos. 19 and 20 are typical examples of his early symphonic style. Featuring trumpets and timpani, the festive No. 20 is likely a work from the Morzin period.
The instrumentation of No. 17 illustrates Haydn's use of wind instruments as a harmonic complement. The later-composed No. 21 can be dated based on Esterházy sources and demonstrates the progress in Haydn's compositional style. During this period, Haydn's musical output was characterized by a wide range of genres—he wrote both sonatas and symphonies.
The diversity of Haydn's compositional style is reflected in the long span of his creative output. Each symphony demonstrates the development of his compositional maturity, particularly with regard to the demanding wind writing of No. 21. The structure of the works varies, and Haydn's music continually evolved over the years.
The diversity of Haydn's compositional style is reflected in the long span of his creative years.