Haydn: Symphonies 99 & 100
TheMilitarySymphony was the most popular piece of orchestral music that  Haydn ever wrote. It gets its name from the second movement, a march in which "Turkish"  instruments (triangle, bass drum, and cymbals) make their symphonic debut. They also come in at  the end of the finale to bring the symphony to a rousing conclusion. Contemporary audiences found  the music deafeningly loud, and a good performance, like this one, isn't afraid to make a little noise.  Symphony No. 99 lacks a nickname, but that doesn't make the music any less fine. Its finale is  particularly jolly, with some delightful writing for solo winds (clarinets particularly).--David  Hurwitz