Court And Society Feted Hadyn

Radio Record, 14 April 1938, Page 21

Court And Society Feted Hadyn

"CLOCK" SYMPHONY PRESENTATION FROM STATION 4YA

| WHEN the great Haydn, writer | of the "Clock" Symphony, journeyed from Vienna to visit England at the end of 1790, the journey took him more than a fortnightsome 17 days of such fatigue as the traveller to-day would hardly care to face.

But Londoners did everything possible to make Haydn’s visit a happy and successful one, aud he used to say afterward that it was not until he had been in England that he became famous in Germany, It was no more than a jest, of course, as he had for years been looked up to by the whole world of music as the greatest living master. He crossed from Calais to Dover on New Year’s Day, 1791, and that part of his journey alone oceupied nine hours; going straight to London, he remained in England until the middle of 1792,

feted and honoured in every way which enthusiasm and affection could devise. The Court and Society made much of him; he survived a Lord Mayor’s banquet, and the University of Oxford made him an honorary Doctor of Music. Hoppner paiuted his portrait -it still hangs at Hampton Court- . and, indeed, the whole of artistic Hngland united in doing him honour. The visit was arranged by Salomon, indefatigable impressario and violinist, and for his concerts in London Hayda composed a set of twelve symphonies. They were all produced first in London, and they have since been known as the Salomon Symphonies. The "Clock" Symphony is one of these. The general public followed the lead of society and the connoisseurs, so that the concerts began in March in an atmosphere of hysterical enthusiasm, such as is reserved nowadays for the personal appearance of a star from Hollywood or a record-breaking aviator. One "fan’? snatched MHaydn’s snuff-box (not one of the diamondencrusted kind, but an everyday affair of no intrinsic value) as a souvenir; 4 hosier sent him six pairs of socks embroidered with motifs from his symphonies (the "Clock" may have been included, but there is nothing on record to that effect-it would have been appropriate). The "Clock" Symphony has always been one of the most popular; it bears the unmistakable stamp of WMnglisb affection-a pet name. It is all simple, innocent music, which is very well able to give its own message, and has besides that clear-cut design whose shapeliness is apparent to the most heedless listener. Special labels attach to several Haydn symphonies. There are "The Bear," "Lhe Hen,’? "The Surprise," "The Drum Roll, * "The Hvening," "The Military," and others. . The "Clock" Symphony will be played at 4YA by the New York. Philharmonie Orchestra, under Toscanini, ob Thursday, April 21,