Evening Masterwork: Haydn’s “Clock” Symphony

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732 – 1809)

Symphony No. 101 in D “Clock” by Franz Joseph Haydn

Evening Masterwork for March 10, 2020 – 7:00 PM on Classical WSMR 89.1 and 103.9

The Evening Masterwork tonight is Franz Joseph Haydn’s 101st Symphony, nicknamed the “Clock” symphony. As is normally the case, the nickname did not come from the composer. The symphony acquired its nickname primarily from the 2nd movement, which features a prevailing “tick-tock” accompaniment. This ticking initially comes from the bassoons and plucked strings, but as ne listener observed, at the time: Haydn has a gratifying number of different clocks in his shop, offering ‘tick-tock’ in a happy variety of colors. We’ll hear the Clock Symphony by Franz Joseph Haydn tonight at 7 on Classical WSMR.