It is written for an orchestra consisting of two
oboes, four
horns (two in B alto and two in G), and
strings (
violins divided into two,
violas,
cellos and
double basses). There are four
movements: The opening movement features a nervously excited main theme interrupted by frequent pauses. Felix Diergarten has specifically analysed the pauses in the first movement in the symphony, with respect to symphonic form of the time. Both the first and second theme groups begin with the same two bars of melodic material. In contrast to the Sturm und Drang of the opening movement, A.P. Brown describes the Andante as "one of Haydn's most
galant slow movements, with its small meter signature, sixteenth triplets, slides, weak resolutions, echoes, and generally thin texture". The minor mode returns for the Menuet which is contrasted by a bright major-mode Trio which features high notes for the first horn. The movement is in two-part counterpoint.
Douglas Townsend opined that this movement "wears a little thin" because of the two-part writing. The frenetic Sturm und Drang finale brings the symphony to an energetic conclusion, with significant changes in harmony and dynamics as well as wide melodic
disjunct motion. ==Notes==