Day 26: The Queen and Me

HaydnCD26Symphony No. 85 in B Flat “La Reine” (The Queen) is familiar to me, especially Movement III (“Menuetto & Trio: Allegretto”). I hear it now and then on the local Classical radio station.

This is a very, very good symphony.

It sounds so much like a symphony from that era that it very well could be the quintessential symphony, Plato’s Symphony — the idealized prototype for all symphonies.

The fourth of the six-part Paris Symphonies, No. 85 was composed in 1785 or 1786. Like the preceding three — and subsequent two — No. 85 sounds rich and full, with a depth and complexity that could only have come from a mature Haydn, one in command of his talents, confident and assured in his gift for composition. He was 53 or 54.

This is another Haydn symphony that I dub “favorite.”

521px-Marie-Antoinette;_koningin_der_FransenWhy is it called The Queen? According to its entry on Wikipedia:

The nickname “La Reine” originated because the work was a favorite of Marie Antoinette, at the time Queen of France. It is the only one of the Paris symphonies whose nickname is of 18th-century origin.

Symphony No. 86 in D is no slouch, though. From the get-go, Movement I (“Adagio – Allegro spiritoso”) stirs my soul and puts a smile on my face. When I think of what a symphony (at least the first movement of a symphony) sounds like, this is the sound, tempo, and style I have in mind.

Even the much slower Movement II (“Capriccio: Largo”) doesn’t seem a disappointment by comparison. It is equally captivating.

Surprisingly, Movement III (“Menuet & Trio: Allegretto”), usually one of my favorites, is the biggest let down of No. 86. It doesn’t hold my attention.

Thankfully, Movement IV (“Finale: Allegro con spirito”) is very much con spirito and so Symphony No. 86 ends on a rousing note.

The last symphony on today’s CD is Symphony No. 87 in A was composed in 1786. Haydn was 54. It is my second favorite symphony on this CD. I can’t explain why. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. I will say that it’s not as stirring as the preceding two. But it has its own charm.

As a whole, the Paris Symphonies are tremendous. I’m eager to see what Haydn creates as a follow up to them.

By this point in time (1786), Haydn is in his mid fifties. Mozart is 30, with only five years left to live (yes, Haydn — born earlier than Mozart — outlives him by nearly two decades). Beethoven is a lad of 16, with 41 years ahead of him. America is a scant 10 years old, our Constitution not yet written. Author Washington Irving (“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”) was only three.

But Marie Antoinette was alive and well. Probably eating cake.

Or telling others to eat it.

1 thought on “Day 26: The Queen and Me

  1. I love having the historical context, what else was going on at the time! Very interesting! I guess I didn’t realize Haydn was performing his stuff for Marie Antoinette!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *