<P> Haydn wrote the symphony in 1791 in London for a concert series he gave during the first of his visits to England (1791--1792). The premiere took place at the Hanover Square Rooms in London on March 23, 1792, with Haydn leading the orchestra seated at a fortepiano . </P> <P> The Surprise Symphony is scored for a Classical - era orchestra consisting of two each of flutes, oboes, bassoons, horns, trumpets, plus timpani, and the usual string section consisting of violins (first and second), violas, cellos, and double basses . Performances of the Surprise Symphony last about 23 minutes . </P> <P> Haydn's music contains many jokes, and the Surprise Symphony includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden fortissimo chord at the end of the otherwise piano opening theme in the variation - form second movement . The music then returns to its original quiet dynamic as if nothing has happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the joke . In German, the work is referred to as the Symphony mit dem Paukenschlag, or, with the kettledrum stroke . </P> <P> In Haydn's old age, his biographer George August Griesinger asked him whether he wrote this "surprise" to awaken the audience . Haydn replied: </P>

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