Symphonies 93-95
TheSurpriseSymphony was, before the Mozart craze of the early 1990s, the  most famous piece of classical music after Beethoven's Fifth, and if it gets into some feature film it  could well regain it's former position. It says something for Haydn's ability to write consistently  interesting and witty music that the most popular, "named" part in a symphony (this one included)  is likely to be the slow movement. In other words, Haydn is often at his most entertaining just when  other composers are putting you to sleep. Symphony No. 93 also has a surprise in its slow  movement--a highly scatological comment from the bassoon at the very end, followed by what can  only be described as orchestral laughter. Listen for yourself and see if you don't agree!--David  Hurwitz