Repertoire: The Haydn Symphony CRUSADE (No. 11)

Symphony No. 11 is one of the Haydn's larger early works in the form. It has four movements, beginning with a soulful and gracious Adagio cantabile--in other words, with a slow movement. In this piece, Haydn explores the possibilities of free counterpoint, enlivening the music's texture with simultaneous but nonetheless independent melodic lines. The result is a fascinating and expressive interplay of joyful musical ideas.