Haydn: Divertimento in G major Hob. II:9

For 2 Oboes, 2 Horns, 2 Violins, 2 Violas and Basso Continuo

Haydn's numerous divertimentos for strings and wind are cheerful, functional music about whose genesis we know very little. Many stem from Haydn's early years, when the composer had to keep his head above water with musical odd jobs. Thus the Divertimento in G major Hob. II:9, for the unusual scoring of two oboes, two horns, two violins, two violas and bass, was quite possibly commissioned in the 1750s. In its exuberant vitality, Haydn's genius is already unmistakable here.