The Symphony No. 85 in
B major
B major (or the key of B) is a major scale based on B. The pitches B, C, D, E, F, G, and A are all part of the B major scale. Its key signature has five sharps. Its relative minor is G-sharp minor, its parallel minor is B minor, and its ...
, Hoboken I/85, is the fourth of the six
Paris symphonies (numbers 82–87) written by
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...
. It is popularly known as La Reine (''The Queen'').
Background
The 85th Symphony was completed in either 1785 or 1786. It made its way to America early on, at first through a keyboard arrangement such as one played by
Nelly Custis at the White House.
Nickname (La Reine)
The nickname La Reine originated because the work was a favorite of
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child a ...
, at the time Queen of France. It is the only one of the Paris symphonies whose nickname is of 18th-century origin.
Movements
The symphony is in standard four movement form and is scored for
flute
The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...
, two
oboe
The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range.
A ...
s, two
bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuo ...
s, two
horns Horns or The Horns may refer to:
* Plural of Horn (instrument), a group of musical instruments all with a horn-shaped bells
* The Horns (Colorado), a summit on Cheyenne Mountain
* ''Horns'' (novel), a dark fantasy novel written in 2010 by Joe Hill ...
, and
strings
String or strings may refer to:
*String (structure), a long flexible structure made from threads twisted together, which is used to tie, bind, or hang other objects
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Strings'' (1991 film), a Canadian anim ...
.
#
Adagio
Adagio (Italian for 'slowly', ) may refer to:
Music
* Adagio, a Tempo#Basic tempo markings, tempo marking, indicating that music is to be played slowly, or a composition intended to be played in this manner
* Adagio (band), a French progressive m ...
—
Vivace
In musical terminology, tempo (Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often ...
#Romance:
Allegretto
In musical terminology, tempo (Italian, 'time'; plural ''tempos'', or ''tempi'' from the Italian plural) is the speed or pace of a given piece. In classical music, tempo is typically indicated with an instruction at the start of a piece (often ...
#
Menuetto
A minuet (; also spelled menuet) is a social dance of French origin for two people, usually in time. The English word was adapted from the Italian ''minuetto'' and the French ''menuet''.
The term also describes the musical form that accompa ...
: Allegretto
#Finale:
Presto
The first movement contains a reference to
Symphony No. 45. The second movement is described by
H. C. Robbins Landon
Howard Chandler Robbins Landon (March 6, 1926November 20, 2009) was an American musicologist, journalist, historian and broadcaster, best known for his work in rediscovering the huge body of neglected music by Haydn and in correcting misunderstand ...
as "a set of variations on the old French folk-song 'La gentille et jeune Lisette';
[Robbins Landon 1963, xvii] see
Haydn and folk music This article discusses the influence of folk music on the work of the composer Joseph Haydn (1732–1809).
Background
Haydn was of humble family, perhaps unusually so for a famous composer. His parents were working people (his mother Anna Maria was ...
.
See also
*
List of symphonies by name
While most symphonies have a ''number'', many symphonies are known by their ''(nick)name''.
This article lists symphonies that are numbered and have an additional nickname, and symphonies that are primarily known by their name and/or key. Also v ...
Notes
References
*Robbins Landon, H. C. (1963) ''Joseph Haydn: Critical Edition of the Complete Symphonies'', Universal Edition, Vienna
*
Steinberg, Michael (1995) ''The Symphony: A Listeners Guide''. Oxford University Press.
*Harrison, Bernard ''Haydn: The "Paris" Symphonies'' (Cambridge University Press, 1998)
* Kirk, Elise K. ''Music at the White House: A History of the American Spirit'' (University of Illinois Press, 1986)
Symphony 085
Compositions in B-flat major
1785 compositions
1786 compositions
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