Haydn: Symphonies 6, 7 & 8 "Le Matin, Le Midi & Le Soir" - Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Ernst Märzendorfer

Haydn Le Matin Le Soir Le Midi liner notes

At the age of 29, Joseph Haydn was appointed assistant kapellmeister to Prince Esterhazy in the city of Eisenstadt east of Vienna. He entered the services of one of the richest and most influential aristocratic families in the Hapsburg Empire, thus starting a relationship which was to last for almost half a century. Haydn's new patron was an ardent lover of music. A small group of excellent musicians was placed at the disposal of the young vice conductor while the ailing old director Gregor Joseph Werner remained merely in charge of church music. It was the prince’s idea that the newly appointed assistant conductor should display his ability in a set of compositions dealing with the different times of the day. In accordance with the order Haydn wrote three symphonic works with the elegant French titles Le Matin (Morning), Le Midi (Noon), and Le Soir (Night). They are known as the symphonies Nos 6, 7 & 8 and were probably all completed in 1761, the first year of Haydn’s service at the court of Prince Esterhazy. Having such fine musicians available was a novel experience for the composer. He responded by reverting to a musical idiom used before his time and adopted features of the baroque concerto. One or two solo violins and a solo cello were and trusted with virtuosic passages. Moreover, other instruments of the orchestra - lute, oboe, horn, bassoon and even the humble double bass - were offered opportunities to exhibit their proficiency. Haydn then laid down the artistic policy he was going to pursue in the work with his musicians: he demanded utmost dedication and prowess and rewarded them with truly congenial tasks.