Symphony No. 64 (Haydn)

The Symphony No. 64 in A major (Hoboken I/64) is a symphony by Joseph Haydn dated between 1773 and 1775. The likely date of composition puts it at the tail end of the Sturm und Drang period that produced masterpieces such as symphonies 44 to 48. It is often known by the nickname Tempora mutantur.

Nickname (Tempora mutantur)
Main article: Tempora mutantur

The nickname is Haydn's own. On the orchestra parts prepared for this symphony at Esterházy, he placed the heading "Tempora mutantur, et.". The full version of this quote is Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis, and it is a traditional Latin adage.

Haydn likely knew this in the form

Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis.
Quomodo? Fit semper tempore peior homo.

which translates to

The times change, and we change with them.
How? Time passing makes mankind worse.

by John Owen, from his popular collection of Epigrammata published in 1615.[1]

Movements

The symphony is scored for two oboes, two horns and strings. There are four movements:

  1. Allegro con spirito
  2. Largo, 3
    4
  3. Menuetto and Trio: Allegretto, 3
    4
  4. Finale: Presto, 2
    2

The opening of the first movement begins with two lyrical measures played pianissimo followed by a tutti outburst of four chords which is the reverse-order of the declamatory question/lyrical answer openings that Haydn had used in recent symphonies such as numbers 44, 46 and 65. A wealth of transitional material follows before the second theme arrives in the dominant, colorfully scored for violins and violas played in octaves.[2] High horn parts add brilliant color throughout the movement.

The Largo as so often in this period has muted strings. Its broad melody is punctuated by frequent short pauses, demonstrating an understated pleading and yearning quality which is so typical of Haydn. We are tricked into thinking the movement is for strings alone until the wind instruments interject powerfully half way through.[1] The end of the movement is particularly effective with the first horn right at the bottom of its register and the second horn taking the melody from the violins. The mood changes to light and cheerful for the minuet and trio, while the final Presto is in the form of a Rondo.

Elaine Sisman has discussed Haydn's application of the principle of tempora mutantur, or "time out of joint", in the slow movement of the symphony.[3]

See also
  • List of symphonies by name

References
  1. Steinberg, Michael. "The Symphony: a listeners guide". p. 202–04. Oxford University Press, 1995.
  2. Brown, A. Peter, The Symphonic Repertoire (Volume 2). Indiana University Press (ISBN 025333487X), pp. 146–147 (2002).
  3. Sisman, Elaine R. (Summer 1990). "Haydn's Theater Symphonies". Journal of the American Musicological Society. 43 (2): 292–352. doi:10.1525/jams.1990.43.2.03a00030.
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