Haydn's Symphony #94 - Analysis

A Student-Generated Analysis for IB Music, Prescribed Work for 2020 - 2021

Movement 1 (Sonata-Allegro)

Movement 2 (Theme and Variations)

Movement 3 (Minuet and Trio)

Movement 4 (Sonata-Rondo)

Some Possible Prescribed Work Questions for Haydn's Symphony 94

Design possible strategies to approaching these questions:


  • Discuss Haydn’s use of form and tonality in the 1st Movement of the Surprise symphony.
  • Hadyn was well known for his love of musical jokes and surprises. What musical evidence is there in the surprise symphony to support this statement.
  • Discuss Hadyn’s approach to melody in the surprise symphony. Refer in detail to specific passages of music.
  • Explain how Haydn’s work is a typical work from the Classical period, illustrating your arguments with precisely located examples.
  • Discuss how Haydn uses classical forms in his Surprise symphony. Refer to specifically located examples in the score.
  • How does Haydn use variation techniques in the 2nd Movement of the symphony. Refer in detail to specific passages of music.
  • How does Haydn develop and manipulate his subjects in the first movement of the Surprise symphony. Illustrate your points with precisely located examples.
  • The first movement of the Surprise symphony is in Sonata Form. Explain how Haydn follows or subverts the conventions of Sonata form with reference to evidence from the score.
  • How does Haydn vary the tonality and texture in his Surprise symphony. Refer to examples from movements 1 and 2.
  • Composers of the Classical Period became more aware importance of tone colour. Illustrate, with reference to the score, illustrate how Haydn uses tone colour in the Surprise Symphony.