Review
Franz Josef Haydn had served as
Kapellmeister, or court composer, for Prince Nikolaus I Esterházy for 28 years by the time the Prince died in 1790. Nikolaus' successor, his son Anton, was not a great music fan and largely disbanded the family's musical establishment. Haydn moved to Vienna and quickly received many employment offers, the most exciting of which came from the violinist-impresario Johann Peter Salomon, who offered Haydn a considerable sum of money to come to England to present several new compositions in a series of concerts. Haydn arrived in England (his first trip ever outside Austria) on January 1, 1791, and the first of Salomon's three wildly successful concert seasons got started in March. The Symphony No. 94 was premiered under Haydn's direction on March 23, 1792, in the middle of the second season.
The symphony opens tenderly, with a genial, gently rocking main theme that builds up quite a head of steam as it is developed. As is the case so frequently with Haydn, the recapitulation of the opening themes is really more of an extension of their development. There is a nice passage for the woodwinds just before the movement's ending.
The symphony's nickname derives from the justly famous second movement, which is a set of variations on a sweet, naïve little tune. As the melody spins itself out, it gets quieter and quieter, dying to near silence -- and then there is a sudden loud chord from the entire orchestra. There are several theories as to why Haydn inserted that "surprise" (which was actually an afterthought, and doesn't appear in his original manuscript). One account tells us that Haydn may have said, "This will make the ladies jump!" He may also have been thinking of the elderly gentlemen he saw in his audiences who, lulled by their heavy dinners and a few too many drinks, routinely dozed off once the music had begun. Also, with the overwhelming success of the Salomon/Haydn concerts, a rival concert series under the direction of composer Ignaz Pleyel (one of Haydn's former students) had begun. On one occasion Haydn admitted that he included the "surprise" not to startle the audience, but simply to make the work memorable in the face of his competition. Whatever the reason, the "surprise" is just one of the delights of this movement, which features a series of variations on the main theme -- one stormy and dramatic, another sweetly decorated by the woodwinds, another propelled forward by trumpets and timpani. The movement's quiet, poignant conclusion is rather a surprise in itself.
An aggressive little minuet follows, with a graceful middle section for strings joined by a solo bassoon. The symphony concludes with a sparkling Allegro di molto finale; this, and other finales in the 12 "London" symphonies, calls for truly virtuosic playing from the strings -- Salomon's players in London must have been a formidable group indeed. ~ Chris Morrison, All Music Guide
Albums with Complete Performances of the Work
A Tribute to Carlos Kleiber
Anton Bruckner: Symphony No. 9; Haydn: Symphony No. 94 1982
Arturo Toscanini Collection, Volume 12: Joseph Haydn 1992
Arturo Toscanini: Great Symphonies, Vol. 6 1999
Bach: Suite No. 3 in D; Violin Concerto in A; Handel: Concerto, Op. 6 No. 5; Haydn: Symphony No. 94 in G; Etc.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3; Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Surprise" 2008
Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Op. 61
Brahms: Symphony No. 1; Haydn: "Surprise" Symphony
Brahms: Symphony No. 3; Haydn: Symphony No. 94
Bruckner: Symphony No. 9; Haydn: Symphony No. 94 1982
Carlos Kleiber Conducts Schubert, Butterworth, Beethoven
Carlos Kleiber Plays Mozart, Haydn, Berg 2006
Classic Gala
Classical Masterpieces (Box Set) 1998
Complete Symphonies (Box)
Festival of Classics, Vol.2 1993
Fifty Celebrated Classics, Vol.1-4 1996
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphonies 98, 94 "Paukenschlag", 100 "Military" 2006
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93 & 94 1982
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93 - 95
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony Nos. 94, 100 and 101 1994
Great Haydn Symphonies 1999
Great Melodies of the Classics 2004
Great Melodies of the Classics 1992
Haydn Symphonies, Discs 28-33
Haydn, Haydn and Mozart
Haydn: "London" Symphonies 2005
Haydn: 'London' Symphonies; The Seasons [Box Set] 2006
Haydn: 6 London Symphonies 2001
Haydn: Complete Name Symphonies [Box Set]
Haydn: Complete Name Symphonies, CD 9
Haydn: Complete Symphonies [Box Set]
Haydn: Die größten Werke 2008
Haydn: Early London Symphonies 1989
Haydn: Early London Symphonies 1989
Haydn: Fortepiano Trios 2002
Haydn: Greatest Hits 2005
Haydn: London Symphonies (arr. Salomon), Vol. 1 2003
Haydn: London Symphonies Nos. 93, 94, 103 2001
Haydn: London Symphonies, Nos. 93-104 2003
Haydn: London Symphonies, Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD] 2003
Haydn: London Symphonies, Vol. 2 2000
Haydn: London, Surprise & Military Symphonies 1999
Haydn: Name Symphonies 1996
Haydn: Name Symphonies [Box Set] 2004
Haydn: Orchestral Music and Concertos
Haydn: Surprise & Clock Symphonies
Haydn: Symphonie No. 94 D-Dur; Brahms: Symphonie No. 3 F-Dur 1992
Haydn: Symphonien No. 94 "Mit dem Paukenslag" & 101 "Die Uhr"
Haydn: Symphonien Nos. 92 "Oxford" & 94 "Mit dem Paukenschlag / Surprise"
Haydn: Symphonien Nos. 94 "Mit Dem Paukenschlag" & 101 "Die Uhr"
Haydn: Symphonies - Surprise, Le matin, Le midi, Le soir
Haydn: Symphonies 68, 93-104 [Box Set] 2006
Haydn: Symphonies 93 - 95
Haydn: Symphonies 94, 104 & 105
Haydn: Symphonies 94, 95 & 97 2006
Haydn: Symphonies 94,96,104 1994
Haydn: Symphonies No. 94 "Surprise"; No. 100 "Military"; No. 101 "The Clock" 1992
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 45 & 94; Horn Concerto No. 1 1995
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 45, 94 & 101 1995
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 60 "Il Distratto", 94 "Surprise" & 103 "Drum Roll" 1993
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 60, 94 & 103 1993
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 73, 94 and 30 1989
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 83, 94, 101 1989
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 92 ("Oxford") & 94 ("Surprise"); La fedeltà premiata Overture [Hybrid SACD] 2005
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 92, 94 & 96 2003
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 92, 94 & 97
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 92, 94, & 96 1990
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drum Roll" 1994
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "Surprise", 103 "Drumroll" 2002
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 & 97
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-104, The London Symphonies [Box Set] 1996
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93-98 2004
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 "La Surprise" & 104 "Londres"
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 "Surprise" & 96 "Miracle" 2005
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 "Surprise" and 95 1988
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 & 100
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 & 104 1997
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94 ("London"), 94 ("Surprise"), 104 ("Acide e Galatea") 1999
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96 & 103
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96 & 97
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 96, 102
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 98 & 104 1994
Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 99, 101 & 94 1993
Haydn: Symphonies Nos.94 "Surprise", 96 "Miracle", & 104 "London" 1994
Haydn: Symphonies; German Dances; String Quartets [Box Set] 2008
Haydn: Symphony No. 101 (Excerpts); Symphony No. 94; Mozart: Ein musikalischer Spass
Haydn: Symphony No. 82 "The Bear"; Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Paukenschlag" - "Surprise"; Symphony No. 95 1991
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Suprise"; Symphony No. 45 "Farewell" 1994
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"; Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Sibelius: En Saga
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"; Mozart: Overtures 1988
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 & 95
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 (Surprise); Symphony No. 96 (The Miracle); Symphony No. 97; Bruckner: Symhony No. 7
Haydn: Symphony No. 94/Beethoven: Symphony No. 7
Haydn: Symphony No. 94; Symphony No. 100 1984
Haydn: Symphony No101; Symphony No94 1997
Haydn: Symphony No94; Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn in Bf Op56a 1997
Haydn: Symphony No94; Mozart: Symphony No36
Haydn: Symphony No94; Sinfonia concertante in Bf
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No100
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No104
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No82
Haydn: Symphony No94; Symphony No95
Haydn: The 12 "London" Symphonies [Box Set]
Haydn: The 12 London Symphonies 2003
Haydn: The London Symohonies, Vol. 2 1994
Haydn: The London Symphonies 2009
Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 93-104 2004
Haydn: The London Symphonies Nos. 94 "Surprise", 100 "Military", 104 "London" 1989
Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 1 2001
Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set]
Haydn: The Symphonies 1966
Historic Decca Recordings, 1950-1958 [Box Set] 2003
Jascha Horenstein and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 1991
Joseph Haydn: London Symphonies Nos. 93, 94 "The Surprise" & 95 1993
Joseph Haydn: Sinfonien No. 93, 94 ("Paukenschlag"), 95, 98 1995
Joseph Haydn: Symphoines 94 "Surprise" & 96 "Miracle" 2005
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies 1995
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies No. 84-95 1991
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 93, 94, 95 1993
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 100 & 101 1992
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies Nos. 94, 22, 45
Joseph Haydn: Symphonies, No. 93-95 1993
Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 94; Maurice Ravel: Ma Mère L'Oye Suite 2005
Joseph Haydn: The 12 "London" Symphonies
Joseph Haydn: The London Symphonies 1991
Knappertsbusch Legacy, Vol. II 1997
Knappertsbusch: Maestro Energico (Box Set) 2003
Knappertsbusch: Maestro Energico, Disc 1 2003
Kneppertsbusch & The Berlin Philharmonic 1998
Koussevitzky conducts Classical Symphonies
Legendary Masterworks Recordings: Dresdner Philharmonie 2008
Leonard Bernstein Conducts Haydn (Collectors Edition)
Maestro Classico, Vol. 1: Franz Joseph Hayd, Ludwig van Beethoven 1999
Maestro Classico, Vol. 2 (Box Set) 1999
Magnificent Symphonies
Mozart & Haydn
Panorama: Joseph Haydn 2000
Pyramid Of Khonsoul with music from The "Surprise" Symphony by Haydn
Sergiu Celibidache Conducts Mendelssohn, Haydn, Beethoven
Sergiu Celibidache et la Phiharmonie de Berlin 2001
Sergiu Celibidache: From the collection of Deutsches Rundfunkarchiv
Symphonies: The Greatest Hits, Vol. 1-10 1999
Symphony Showcase: Tchaikovsky/Dvorák/Beethoven/Schubert/Haydn/Mozart
The 1950s Haydn Symphonies Recordings [Box Set]
The Art of Guido Cantelli, Vol. 1
The Basic Haydn Symphonies
The Best of Haydn
The Best of Haydn 1999
The London Symphonies, Vol. 1
The Magnificent Symphonies
The NBC Broadcast Concerts, December 1949 - January 1950 2003
The Unknown Recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
The World's Greatest Symphonies 1993
The Young Celibidache, Vol.II 1997
Ultimate Haydn [Box Set] 2009
Universal Musician 2006
Viennese Masters
Wiener Philharmoniker 150th Anniversary (Box Set) 1991
Wiener Philharmoniker 150th Anniversary, Vol. 4 1991
Wilhem Furtwängler: On Tour in Stockholm
Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work
100 Classical Highlights: Symphonie/Romantic Piano 2003
100 Classical Masterpieces [Box Set] 1998
100 Classical Masterpieces, Vol. 4 1998
100 Golden Classics
101 Great Orchestral Classics, Vol. 5 1991
300 Years of Classical 1995
300 Years of Glorious Music
300 Years of the Classics 1995
50 Classical Highlights: Symphonies 2002
50 Classical Masterpieces 2000
50 Classical Masterpieces (Box Set) 1992
500 Classic Masterpieces [Box Set] 1992
6-CD Set to Accompany "Listening to Music" (Second Edition) [Box Set] 1996
60 Best-Loved Classics 2004
A Gala Evening in Vienna 1995
After Work Hour: Classical Music Selection, Vol. 7 2005
Baby Concerts Deluxe Gift Set: Prenatal and Newborn, Infant, Crawl [4 CD] 2005
Baby Concerts: El Estuche de Regalo de Lujo [4 CD] 2005
Baby Concerts: Infant 2005
Baby Concerts: Infantil 2005
Baby Dance:Toddler's Jump on the Classics 1994
Baby's Look & Listen: Learning 2004
Beautiful Classical Music To Share (Box Set) 2004
Beethoven and the Philharmonic 1988
Bernstein: The Best of All Possible Worlds 2008
Best Of Haydn 1993
Best of Basics 2007
Best of Wiener Philharmoniker
Best-Loved Symphonies 2006
Christmas Dinner Music 2004
Christmas Dinner [United Multi License] 2004
Classic Dreams 1995
Classic Dreams, Vol. 1 1993
Classic Festival, Vol. 1 1992
Classic Symphonic Performances 2003
Classical Chill Experience 2004
Classical Composers in the Rain [Box Set]
Classical Evergreens 1997
Classical Journey (Box Set)
Classical Journey: Austria
Classical Kaleidoscope 1997
Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [Box Set] 1999
Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium: Haydn 1999
Classical Masterpieces, Vol. 1
Classical Masters and the Sea 1999
Classical Masters of the Millennium 2004
Classical Masters: Wagner and Haydn 2004
Classical Melodies 2003
Classical Moods 1995
Classical Moods, Vols. 6 - 10 1995
Classical Music 101 2004
Classical Music For People Who Hate Classical Music 2005
Classical Music for Children: A Toddler's Introduction to Classical Music 1995
Classical Romance 2003
Classical Treasures: Classical Sounds of Excellence [Box Set] 2005
Classics 2: The Greatest Melodies 2006
Classics By Candle Light 1995
Classics for Relaxation
Classics for Relaxation CDS 6-10 2008
Classics for Relaxation [2008] 2008
Classics in Heaven 2008
Concert in the Park: A Festival of Beautiful Music 1996
Concerts pour bébés [Box Set] 2005
Concerts pour bébés: Le nouveau-né 2005
Country Classics, Vol. 3 1997
Discover Classical Music 1993
Discover Music of the Classical Era 2005
Discover the Classics 1995
Discover the Classics [Box Set] 2000
Discovering 2001
Dream Melodies 1997
Dream Melodies (Box Set) 2001
Dream Melodies (Collectors Edition) (Box Set) 2002
Dream Melodies, Vol. 1-5 (Box Set)
Dream Melodies, Vol. 2: Classical Symphonies 2000
Dream Suite, Vol. 3 2001
Duo Guide to the Classics 1999
Elmo and The Orchestra 2001
Elmo and the Orchestra 2001
Essential Hyperion
Festival Hoffnung
Fifty Classical Favorites 2000
Fireworks 1997
Great Symphonies: The Highlights 2000
Great Symphonies: The Highlights (Box Set) 2000
Grooving Classics 2006
Haydn and the Sea 1999
Haydn in the Rain 2000
Haydn's Greatest 2000
Haydn: Klavierstücke (Complete) [Box Set]
Haydn: Surprise And Farewell 1999
Haydn: Symphony No. 94 "Surprise" 2000
Haydn: Symphony Nos. 100 & 101; Andante from Symphony No. 94 "Surprise"
Idiot's Guide to Classical Music 1995
In Classical Mood: Nights in Vienna 1996
Kids Collection of Greatest Classics, Vol. 1 2000
Leonard Bernstein, The Artist Album
London Symphony Orchestra: Composers' Greatest [Box Set] 2005
Lydian Sampler 1993
Make Believe Brass 1993
Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Box Set)
Meditation: Classical Relaxation (Collectors Edition) (Box Set) 2002
Meditation: Classical Relaxation, Vol. 10
More Quiet Moods 1998
Music for Lovers [Unison] 1999
Music for Lovers, Vol. 3 1987
Music for Your Garden, Vol. 2 2001
Nature's Symphonies 1994
Nature's Symphonies (Box Set) 1995
Nature's Symphonies: Surf & Sea 1994
Nature's Symphonies: Surf and Sea and Midnight Storm 2004
Night in Vienna [DVD] 2001
Quiet Moments 2000
Quiet Moods [CD & DVD] 2004
Roger Kamien's Music: An Appreciation [Seventh Edition] 2000
Roger Kamien: Music - An Appreciation [5-CD Set to Accompany the 9th Edition and the 6th Brief Edition] 2008
Sensational Symphonies 2004
Serenade: Twilight Moments 2000
Sing-Along Symphonies 2002
Sounds of Excellence: 200 Greatest Classics, Vol. 3 1995
Sunday Morning Classics [Madacy] 2003
Symphonic: 50 Classical Performances 2002
Symphonies You Love 2005
Symphonies le Matin/Le Midi/Le Soir 2004
Symphony (25) Favorites 1997
The Best Symphonies, Vol.3 1995
The Best of Classics for Kids 2005
The Best of Haydn 1997
The Best of Naxos, Vol. 7 1993
The Collector's Library of Best-Loved Classics [CD 2]
The Flag Series-Austria 1996
The Haydn Experience 2008
The Jane Austen Companion 1996
The Life and Works of Joseph Haydn 2003
The Magic of The Symphony: Masterpieces
The Norton Scores & The Enjoyment of Music, Vol. 1: Gregorian Chant to Beethoven 2007
The Norton Scores & The Enjoyment of Music: Shorter Version 2007
The Story Of Haydn 1993
The Ultimate Classics: Dazzling Haydn 2004
The Very Best Of Symphony 1995
The Vienna Classicism in slow movements, Vol. 1: Haydn 1999
The World's Greatest Composers [Collector's Edition Music Tin] 2007
The World's Greatest Composers, Vol. 1 [Box Set] 2008
Top 10 of Classical Music 1995
Top Ten of Classical Music (Box Set) 1995
Traum Klassik, Vol. 4
Ultimate Classics: The Most Beloved Music from the Most Popular Composers [Box Set] 2005
Vineyard Classics (Box Set) 2000
Vineyard Classics: Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Waltz & Dance: 50 Classical Performances 2002
Waltz & Dances 2003
Welte-Mignon Piano Rolls, 1905-1927 2003
Wings, Strings & Other Things 2004
World's Greatest Symphonies 1989
World's Most Beautiful Music Collection 1994
World's Most Beautiful Music Collection (Box Set) 1994
