Symphony

SYMPHONY - a multi-movement work for full orchestra. Although, Haydn did not invent the genre of symphony, he wrote so many high quality symphonies that his template was accepted as the standard. Most symphonies of the Classical Period have a four-movement structure:

Movement I - Usually a fast movement in Sonata Form.  Some begin with a slow introduction.

Movement II - Usually a slow movement in Ternary Form, Variations Form, or Sonata Form.

Movement III - Usually a formal dance movement such as a Minuet and Trio in Ternary Form.

Movement IV - Usually a light and fast movement in Rondo Form, Sonata Form, or a hybrid of the two called Sonata Rondo Form.


The best suggestions for listening to symphonies from the Classical Period include:

HAYDN
Paris Symphonies
Symphony 82 "Bear"
Symphony 83 "Hen"
Symphony 84
Symphony 85 "Queen"
Symphony 86
Symphony 87

Symphony 88
Symphony 92 "Oxford"

London Symphonies
Symphony 93
Symphony 94 "Surprise"
Symphony 95
Symphony 96 "Miracle"
Symphony 97
Symphony 98
Symphony 99
Symphony 100 "Military"
Symphony 101 "Clock"
Symphony 102
Symphony 103 "Drumroll"
Symphony 104 "London"


MOZART
Symphony 25 "Little"
Symphony 29
Symphony 31 "Paris"
Symphony 35 "Haffner"
Symphony 36 "Linz"
Symphony 38 "Prague"
Symphony 39
Symphony 40 "Great"
Symphony 41 "Jupiter"


BEETHOVEN
Symphony 1
Symphony 2
Symphony 3 "Eroica"
Symphony 4
Symphony 5 "Fate"
Symphony 6 "Pastoral"
Symphony 7 "Dance"
Symphony 8 "Short"
Symphony 9 "Choral"