Listening report: Symphony No. 89 in F major

I thought about few of the many song I know to write a report on, but I was not sure what which song was a right one. All the songs I know are short and do not last longer than fifteen minutes. So I decided to choose a symphony from Franz Joseph Haydn because he has composed over a hundred symphonies and he is known as the “Father of Symphony”. Symphony number 89 would was a random but great choice I made to write my listening report on, because I was simply born in the year 89. My report is base on all four movements of Symphony No. 89 in F Major. The entire symphony is about nineteen minutes long and remains peaceful and pleasing in all four movements.

The first movement of Symphony No. 89 in F major starts with a vivace tempo meaning playing lively and fast. In fact forte staccato chords are played followed a piano melody. For me these melodies sound very peaceful and enjoyable. Just the start of this music piece, I can simply imagine this symphony being played and people dancing on a 1800s high social class celebration. In fact, I think is the mixed of high (treble clef) keys’ being played throughout entire movement makes the whole movement sound pleasing and a perfect combination for a symphony and to use it as a recording for any (high loyalty social class) special occasion or event. At approximately 3 minutes and 16 seconds of the movement, the theme starts to change, and I was able to hear the drum(s) played rapidly for a couple of seconds with other instruments. This change in melody is so great to hear because of the vibrations the instruments make. This approach introduces the new theme and makes the theme sound quieter than the first theme. Later on recapitulation, the music stays in tonic, but the themes are being developed. The music near the end makes the movement end with mystery music in which instruments are vibrating on certain times.

Movement two of Symphony No. 89 starts an andante tempo with “con moto” meaning with motion. I found out that this movement is in a siciliano style that is part of the Baroque period. The movement starts with a slow beats, and throughout the movement remains calm. This movement I characterized as being relaxing. Besides, at approximately 2 minutes and 48 seconds the melody builds into a rapid and vibrated sound. This sound change continues for two or three times and has an effect on the ending of this movement. The rest of this movement continues to be calm, smooth, and quiet, but with different types of keys. In fact, this effect

The third movement of this Symphony is played with minuet tempo. The movement starts with a sound that sounds like birds singing (like they want food or something else) but with different tone and not with high (treble clef) keys. This movement also remains calm but with different melody and with greater percentage of being enjoyable and to be dance on a special event. Besides, this movement is played with the wind band alone and is followed by a solo flute during the trio. The flute makes the rest of the movement to be pleasant with whole movement music to be effective in the way that music sounds with a humorous and amusing ending.

Last but not least, the fourth movement is a total impressive finale. It is a concerto that has been extended to a rondo (in the ABACA form) plus an extended coda for this symphony. This movement was written to in a vivacetempo with assaimeaning quite fast. In fact, the sound or music for this movement is also calm and quietly but with speed. The whole movement has effective dynamics that makes the music remain continues throughout the end of the movement, and with constant keys that are used to show how the music can still have an impressive and extraordinary ending.

In summary, all four movements have a peaceful and quiet sound that makes Symphony No. 89 to be calm and effective but with special particular keys. It is the use of F major keys that makes the music to have high (treble clef) keys, powerful and significant melodies as well as harmonious dynamics.

I personally think Haydn Symphony No. 89 is one of the best symphonies I have heard. Is obvious that this symphony is nothing compared to Beethoven’s symphony no. 5. I think this symphony is somewhat opposite to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Unlike any other symphony there is, this symphony creates a peaceful environment full with stimulating melodies and tone. All four movements were great to hear, and I think I would tried to listen to this symphony again whenever I can, especially, when I need to tranquilly go to sleep/rest for a pleasurable, and satisfying dream.