This day marks the anniversary of the premieres of two Haydn symphonies, from the group of 14 known as the ‘London’ symphonies.

While many Haydn symphonies are labelled with nicknames, their unnamed counterparts are far from inferior! That is certainly the case for Symphony no.98 in B flat major, premiered at the Hanover Square Rooms in London on this day in 1792 with Haydn directing from the keyboard and the violinist Johann Peter Salomon, who commissioned the symphonies, leading the orchestra:

Haydn’s penultimate published symphony is no.103, the Drumroll – which was also given its first performance in London, on this day in 1795. It was given in the King’s Theatre, again with Haydn at the fortepiano and the famed violinist, Giovanni Battista Viotti, leading the orchestra.

The symphony is scored for a larger orchestra, with a fulsome wind and brass section – plus the timpani, responsible for the drum roll that opens the work:

Published post no.2,460 – Sunday 2 March 2025