Symphony No. 94 in G 'Surprise' Hob I/94 - Andante. Joseph Haydn This famous movement by Joseph Haydn is from his 'Surprise' symphony - No. 94 in G, one of the 12 'London' symphonies. These represent the summit of Haydn's symphonic achievement; from the early, Baroque-style days of his early employment to here, the polished yet passionate and serenely lyrical symphonies of the classical era at its height. This movement is famous for the sudden loud chord near the beginning, hence the nickname - the most famous example of Haydn's good-natured humour, a humour which often shows in his delightful music, often very Mozartian (and that is certainly a compliment!) This piece is well-known, although not in the same sense as items such as Beethoven's Fur Elise or Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - this is well-known amongst throroughly interested fans of classical music, and whether or not you are one of those, I hope you enjoy this witty but beautiful and at times intense and emotional movement, as good an example as any of the classical period within classical music.
