Haydn composed twelve symphonies for the city of London during his two visits there in the 1790s. The twelve "London Symphonies" are the most famous set of Classical Period orchestral compositions ever written.
Haydn was loved by everyone in England, and his many extant letters describe the unprecedented success of the concerts given to premiere these new works.
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IRONMONGERS HALL ON FENCHURCH STREET DURING THE 1790s
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Despite the numbering, Haydn's Symphony 96 was the first symphony of the twelve composed and performed during the London concerts. It is nicknamed the "Miracle" because it was thought to have been the symphony being performed at the Hanover Square Rooms when a chandelier fell from the ceiling without causing any injuries. More recent evidence has revealed that the symphony being performed was actually Symphony 102. The nickname "Miracle", however, is still attached to Symphony 96.
