Toy Symphony, Hob.II: 47 [attributed to Franz Joseph Haydn]

Description

Traditionally attributed to Franz Joseph Haydn, the TOY SYMPHONY, Hob.II: 47, is known for its whimsical assortment of toy instruments. Authorship has long been disputed as musicologists have put forth a variety of contenders such as Leopold Mozart and Michael Haydn. Recent scholarship has pointed to the Benedictine monk Edmund Angerer (1740-1794). According to an apocryphal story, Haydn wrote the piece after he had purchased an armful of toys at a fair, performing it at a Christmas party in the presence of his family. The short three-movement work, also known by its German title KINDERSINFONIE, is often heard in holiday and children's concerts. Instrumentation: 0.0.0.0: 0.1.0.0: Perc (6): Str (5.5.0.0.6).