Horn 1: b - b2
Horn 2: B - g2
Horn 3: g - g2
Horn 4: G - e2
Creator's Comments
Performance Notes
The Symphony no.94 is one of Haydn’s London symphonies, and was written in 1971 for a concert series he gave in London on his visit to England. Better known as the Symphonie “mit dem Paukenschlag” (with the kettledrum stroke) in German, the 2nd movement (andante) has one of the most recognisable themes of all of Haydn’s work. It is no wonder then that the whole movement is in the form of a theme and variations.
The key of the transcription is the original C major, however the time signature (2/4) was changed (¢), in order to double the note values on paper, which makes it look a lot easier to read and a lot less scary to approach. While the theme itself is simple, the variations get progressively more difficult, and none of the players in the quartet is safe from it. Semi-quaver (sixteenth notes) and triplets passages abound (in a medium fast 2), and the range as well as the key are not the easiest ones to navigate.
The basic harmonies are there though, and the increase in difficulty is gradual, so this is an excellent arrangement for the advanced quartet wanting to program a classical piece. It is more than likely some people in the audience will have heard that tune before.