Noble Solemnity and a Personal Tribute
The relationship between Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was one of the most remarkable in music history—a bond of deep mutual respect, admiration, and genuine friendship. When Haydn learned of Mozart’s death in late 1791, his grief was immense. "I was beside myself for some time over his death," he wrote, "and could not believe it. " It is against this backdrop of personal loss that he composed his Symphony No. 98 in B-flat Major in early 1792. While Haydn was not one for overt programmatic statements, many musicians and scholars hear this symphony as a profound, personal elegy for his friend. From its uniquely somber introduction to its hymn-like slow movement and even allusions to Mozart’s own "Jupiter" symphony in the finale, the work is imbued with a depth of feeling and a noble solemnity that sets it apart from its more boisterous London siblings. It is a work of grand public statement and intimate private grief, a magnificent tribute from one master to another.
A Somber Note in a Celebratory Season
Symphony No. 98 was composed for the second of Haydn’s triumphant concert seasons in London. The English public had come to expect grand, cheerful, and witty works from the master, and this symphony certainly delivers on that front. However, it is cast in the more mellow and warm key of B-flat major, rather than the brilliant C or D major, and its emotional tone is noticeably more reserved and profound. The work stands as a testament to Haydn's incredible emotional range, demonstrating his ability to infuse the grand public forum of the symphony with a deep and personal sense of pathos.
Echoes of Mozart
The potential connections to Mozart are subtle but compelling. The solemn, minor-key introduction is strikingly different from the grand fanfares that open many of the other London symphonies, suggesting a mood of mourning. The beautiful Adagio has been compared to Mozart's own sublime slow movements and has a hymn-like quality that Haydn himself would later adapt for a sacred work, suggesting he associated it with spiritual matters. Most strikingly, the main theme of the finale bears a strong resemblance to a theme from the finale of Mozart’s final symphony, the "Jupiter," a work Haydn knew and deeply admired.
First Movement: Adagio – Allegro
The symphony begins with a slow introduction in B-flat minor, a gesture of immediate and profound seriousness. This Adagio is not a grand portal but a hushed, sorrowful meditation, full of searching harmonies and a sense of deep pathos. The mood shifts dramatically with the arrival of the Allegro. The main theme, in a bright B-flat major, is a powerful and energetic statement, but it retains a certain nobility and gravitas. The movement is a masterpiece of Haydn’s mature sonata form, developing its material with incredible sophistication and power.
Second Movement: Adagio
The Adagio is the emotional core of the symphony. In the style of a noble and deeply felt hymn, its melody is believed to have been inspired by the English anthem "God Save the King. " The movement unfolds with a serene and solemn beauty, a long, unfolding song of consolation and profound peace. The orchestration is exquisite, with beautiful writing for the woodwinds and muted strings that creates a sound of immense warmth and tenderness. It is one of Haydn’s most sublime and moving slow movements, a piece of music that truly feels like a prayer.
Third Movement: Menuetto: Allegro – Trio
The Minuet is surprisingly robust and energetic, a powerful and rhythmically charged dance that brings the symphony back from its contemplative mood into a more public and celebratory space. It is a work of great vigor and complexity, with Haydn playfully disrupting the regular dance rhythms with his trademark syncopations and accents. The central Trio section provides a charming and more delicate contrast, featuring a beautiful, lyrical melody led by the first violins.
Fourth Movement: Finale – Presto
The Finale is a brilliant and high-spirited conclusion that is filled with Haydn’s signature wit. The main theme, with its strong resemblance to Mozart's "Jupiter" theme, is a bustling and energetic tune that is tossed between the instruments. The movement's greatest surprise, however, comes near the end. After a "false" ending, the music comes to a halt, and Haydn himself, seated at the fortepiano, would have improvised a short, brilliant solo passage, accompanied by a solo violin (played by the impresario Salomon). This intimate, chamber-like moment, a personal interjection from the composer into his own grand symphony, must have been a magical and unforgettable experience for the premiere audience.
A Work of Profound Depth
Symphony No. 98 is one of the most rewarding and emotionally complex of all the "London" Symphonies. It operates on multiple levels, functioning as a brilliant and entertaining work for the public while also containing what seems to be a deep layer of private meaning and emotion. Its combination of grand power, hymn-like beauty, and intimate, personal touches makes it a unique and profound masterpiece, a testament to the depth of Haydn’s genius and the sincerity of his heart.
