Classical Wednesday: Haydn – Symphony No.31 in D major ‘Hornsignal’ (1765)

Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 31 in D major, Hob. I/31, known as the “Hornsignal” (or Mit dem Hornsignal), is a 1765 classical symphony composed for Prince Nikolaus Esterházy.

Renowned for featuring an unusual, prominent quartet of four horns, it was designed to showcase his virtuoso wind section.

Key Features and Details:

• Nickame Origin: The “Hornsignal” name stems from the prominent horn calls, particularly in the opening movement, which may reference hunting calls or post-horn signals.
• Orchestration: The work calls for 4 horns, flute, 2 oboes, bassoon, strings, and continuo.
• Structure: It follows a four-movement structure:
  1. Allegro: Opens with a striking, fanfare-like horn call.
  2. Adagio: Features soloistic writing, including, notably, a cello solo.
  3. Menuetto & Trio: Contains, in addition to horn parts, solo passages for violin and flute.
  4. Finale: Moderato molto: A theme-and-variations, including a Presto coda that brings back the hunting-horn material from the first movement.
• Context: Composed in Eisenstadt, it represents Haydn’s early, experimental style in the 1760s, celebrating the return of the orchestra’s horn players to full strength.