Symphony No. 101 in D major "The Clock", Hob. I:101
by Joseph Haydn
Composed in 1793–94 for Haydn's second London visit and premiered at the Hanover Square Rooms in March 1794, the Symphony No. 101 is one of the crown jewels of the twelve London Symphonies and of the Classical symphonic repertoire. Its nickname 'The Clock' derives from the tick-tocking pizzicato and bassoon accompaniment of the Andante second movement, one of the most immediately recognisable themes in all of Haydn. The symphony also contains a minuet of unusual harmonic richness and a dazzling finale whose fugal passages, written at the height of Haydn's contrapuntal mastery, astonished London audiences.
Editions
Doblinger
Harry Newstone, 1981
Critical edition from the Joseph Haydn Werke series with detailed critical commentary; long the preferred scholarly text.
Eulenburg
Ernst Praetorius, 1932
Miniature study score that made the work widely accessible; a standard reference for students and conductors for many decades.
Bärenreiter
Harry Newstone, 1996
Revised critical edition incorporating the latest source research, now the preferred performing and scholarly text for professional use.