Haydn’s Symphony No. 104 – ‘The 12th that I have composed in England’, as Haydn proudly inscribed on the autograph score – was first performed on 4 May 1795 at the King’s Theatre, Haymarket, London, directed by the composer himself during a benefit concert in his honour. The occasion, unsurprisingly, was a huge success, with an ecstatic reception for the new symphony in particular. Haydn subsequently recorded in his notebook: ‘The whole company was thoroughly pleased and so was I. I made four thousand Gulden on this evening. Such a thing is only possible in England.’

Here in a keyboard arrangement by Carl David Stegmann.

“This edition [...] is much to be welcomed [...]
Stegmann’s pianistic skill is well illustrated in the present arrangement,
which fits under the hands beautifully and manages to capture
the spirit and character of the symphony
as well as its melodic and harmonic individuality.”

The Consort, Vol. 78, Summer 2022

 Music example (pdf)