Haydn Symphony No. 103 in E-flat Major, Hob.I:103 'Drum Roll' IV. Allegro con spirito

James Judd Conductor

Gathering limits prevented the NZSO from performing to audiences for much of 2021, but we wanted to keep the band playing together and provide music for people at home. We recorded a number of great works during this time under the baton of Music Director Emeritus James Judd and with the support of broadcast partner RNZ Concert.

This is one of these works, and we hope it is of interest to you.

Second-to-last of Haydn’s twelve London symphonies, his No. 103 is nicknamed ‘Drum Roll’ after the long roll on the timpani that starts it off. This movement, the finale, doesn’t feature the drum roll, unfortunately, but, instead, starts off with a horn call and continues in fast tempo in sonata rondo form.