Symphony No.8 In G Major Hob.I : Concerto and ripieno part
Haydn's Symphony No.8 is the final piece in his triptych on the times of the day, consisting of the symphonies Le Matin, Le Midi and Le Soir (Hoboken I:6-8). The cycle originated in 1761, on a commission from Haydn's patron,Prince Anton Esterházy. Whether the Prince was hoping for a counterpart to Vivaldi's famous concertos on the four seasons or pursued a different idea can no longer be determined. It was doubtless the purpose of theseconcertante symphonies to present to a select audience the Prince's chamber ensemble, which had been assembled or expanded that spring, as well as its new conductor. The pieces are laid out on a large scale full of pompandsplendour, and the scoring, at times divided into thirteen separate parts, offers virtually every player an opportunity to display his prowess as a soloist.At that time the Esterházy ensemble was made up of six or sevenplayers of the violin or viola (the seventh was actually retained as a flautist), one player each of the violoncello and violone, two oboists doubling on flute, two horn players and a bassoonist. This listing includes Haydnhimself, who conducted the ensemble from the first violinist's desk. Contrary to a widely held belief, there was no harpsichord. Indeed, the only genres that employed a keyboard instrument at that time in the Viennese area werevocal - namely, operas, cantatas and church music.Urtext from Joseph Haydn WerkeFull score & parts (BA4673) available for sale