A Nickname for Haydn’s Symphony No. 99?
Number 99 is one of the London symphonies that escaped getting a nickname (like the “Surprise,” “Clock,” etc.) I invited KUSC listeners to suggest a name and several ideas rolled in immediately.
Dylan Kellogg proposed the “Traveling Symphony.”
Frank Markovich was thinking along similar lines with the “Trip Symphony.” In its four movements he heard: Travel, Arrival, Destination, and Departure.
Carolyn Davies came up with “The Mockingbird” because of “its overall playful nature and especially the repetition of the flute in the second movement.”
Marian Bailey heard it similarly: I suggest nicknaming Haydn’s 99th symphony the ‘Bluebird’ symphony, because the flute in the second movement sounds the way a bluebird ought to sound.
Gene Manners thought it might be called the “Wind Choir” symphony.
And Katie Waitman had this perspective: Maybe it’s because I need to do some, but I kept thinking about bustling about the house while listening to this symphony, scrubbing the floor, vacuuming, so how about “The Housekeeping Symphony.” And she adds: Couldn’t be any sillier than some of the ‘official’ nicknames for the other symphonies!
September 29th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I didn’t weigh in earlier…I don’t know very much about classical music, but the symphony brought to mind a cat and mouse game, so I was thinking “The Chase” or the “Cat and Mouse” symphony. Thank you!
September 30th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I think a good nickname for Haydn’s 99th symphony would be ‘The Dvorak’. While it would be irrevelent to Haydn’s work, it would give Jimbo another opportunity to mention his landsman’s name.
If you don’t like that nickname how about ‘The Terrific’? That way Alan Chapman can announce :”That was a terrific recording of Haydn’s Terrific.” He loves speaking in superlatives.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
My suggestion for nickname is” Dancer’s Dreams.”
(A ballet dancer imagines choreographing dance sequences to much of the music in this symphony.)
October 30th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I like the traveling idea but would call it “Voyager” or not to seek rest in one spot too long and call it “Sojourner”.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I love the subject of names, but I never thought about a nickname for a piece of classical music. But I like the idea of it - you should do some modern hip-hop type of nickname to appeal to a broader audience. How about Def Hadyn’s One from a Hundred?
November 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Great idea, Marly! Best one so far, IMHO.