Symphony No. 37 (Michael Haydn)

Michael Haydn's Symphony No. 37 in D major, Perger 29, Sherman 37, MH 476, written in Salzburg in 1788, is the last D major symphony he wrote, the fourth of his final set of six symphonies.

The symphony is scored for 2 oboes (2nd alternating on flute in the second movement), 2 bassoons, 2 horns and strings and is in three movements:


 * 1) Vivace
 * 2) Andantino, in A major
 * 3) Allegro assai

The first movement is notable among Haydn's works for the use of tremolo notation as a shortcut for repeated semiquavers. The second movement, like the slow movements of other symphonies in the set, treats the woodwinds in an almost concertante fashion. The third movement is a lively rondo with a little development in minor keys of the A subject before the final restatement in D major. Though the bassoon is for the most part doubling the cellos, towards the end Haydn has them imitate the twirls of the first violins a bar after, lending a hint of wit redolent of Joseph Haydn's rondo finales.