The piece I selected for this posting is the 2nd movement from Symphony 101 in D major, more commonly known as “the Clock” due to the ticking rhythm, by Joseph Haydn. It was completed somewhere between 1793 and 1794 in Austria and premiered in the Hanover Square Rooms, London on March 3, 1794 where it met with rave reviews. It was one of twelve symphonies, often referred to as the London Symphonies, written by Haydn after visiting said city on two occasions. These trips inspired the development of “a way of composition that, with unprecedented success, created music having great popular appeal” (Wikipedia) Haydn began incorporating folk-like music within his compositions which met with great enthusiasm from the middle class audiences. The use of these familiar melodies strategically placed throughout his compositions provided stability within them and a sense of connection for the middle classes.
I was first drawn to this piece because of it’s title, The Clock, because I drive my husband crazy always running late. :) However after listening to it several times I really enjoy the rhythm and flow of the music, it’s very smooth and uplifting. I’m often discouraged by some classical pieces and their tendency to be dark and dramatic, I’m a sucker for happy music. There’s just something about this music that brings to mind dancers in flowing dresses, the stuff Disney Fantasia movies are made of, bright, full of color, completely fanciful. Bear with me on this one I spend a great deal of time watching movies with my girls. At the completion of this movement you just feel better, it has inspired me to check out the rest of Haydn’s work during this era.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn#Works
Nannette,
I often find classical music to be dark and dramatic as well; so glad I am not the only one that feels that way! I also like your comment about liking the piece because your husband gets mad at you for always being late. I enjoyed this piece as well, and I agree that it has an almost warm feel to it. Very nice and not dark at all.
Great job on the blog. This was on piece of work i had not heard before and i found it to be rather interesting that it was one of the 12 symphonies. I also find it very interesting the titles of some of these works and how they receive their names. I have found there is so much more to the world of art i once knew. In addition, it is amazing how new types of music were being created continually during this time, and how they each managed to still have their own appeal.
I too picked a piece of Haydn’s London Symphonies! I choose to study the 104th symphony. You do a great job of expressing your feelings about the piece, I find that alot of blogs leave that out, good job! I think there could have been a little more background on the piece, but I understand that is often difficult to find. Do you know what inspired the “clock” style sounds of the piece? good ties to the rise of the middle class by the way. Overall, good analysis!
Nannette thank you for choosing this Haydn piece for your neoclassical blog. You did a good job of covering all requirements of the assignment. You gave factual information and tied it to the rise of the middle class. Your explanation of why you like the work is very similar to why I like this piece. It brings to my mind young girls dancing in flowing dresses, too. I see my girls barefooted in fresh mown grass and butterflies flying above their curly heads. I had not heard this piece prior to selecting your blog for my comment portion of the assignment. The link you included made it easy to hear the piece. Thank you and good luck in your studies.