The Surprise Symphony, Symphony No. 94 in G Major, is the best known of the over 100 symphonies by Haydn. Its second movement is the most popular and gave the symphony its name: legend has it that the sudden beat of the timpani was meant to rouse members of the audience who had fallen asleep. Robert Levin (tbc) tells the story of the legendary "surprise" and shows, on piano, the special characteristics of the composition. Mariss Jansons conducts the Berlin Philharmonic.

Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on October 10, 2014. Learn360 is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.

Surprise Symphony Introduction (1:36) -- Haydn's Humor (2:26) -- Adagio Movement (2:22) -- First Theme (2:01) -- Unpredictable Composer (2:36) -- Haydn's Biography (2:08) -- Freelance Composer (1:13) -- Andante Movement (1:55) -- Increasing Complexity (2:08) -- Age of Enlightenment Symphony (1:55) -- Menuett Movement (2:22) -- Allegro Movement (1:53) -- Haydn's Legacy (1:25) -- Credits: Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music: Haydn (Documentary) (0:46).