Egerton MS 2379

ff. 1-54b. Six Quartets (op. 50), for 2 violins, viola, and violoncello, in parts, by Haydn; about 1787. In the hand of his amanuensis, J. Radnitzky, and evidently those sent to William Forster for publication in London, and called by him op. 44. At the beginning is pencilled, presumably in the latter's hand, 'sent 20 Septr, 1787.' The first two are signed by the composer at the beginning {the others in the 'cello part.}. The quartets are referred to in Egerton MS 2380. f. 7.

ff. 55-124. Two sets of three sonatas for harpsichord or pianoforte, violin, and violoncello, in parts, by Franz Joseph Haydn, in the hand of his amanuensis, J. Radnitzky, but signed in the case of nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6 by the composer; 1784, 1785. Evidently the copies used by William Forster for the edition published by him in London and arranged in the order followed by him, though originally numbered differently. 1-3. Op. 40. '25 Oct., 1784.' The date 'Nov. 8th, 1784,' on the first page of each sonata in this set, is apparently that of the day on which the work was received by Forster. ff. 55-94. 4-6. Op. 42. '28 Oct., 1785.' ff. 95 124.

ff. 125-148. 'Sei Divertimenti a tre, 'Violino 1mo o Flauto Traver[so], Violino 2do, e Violoncello,' in parts, by Franz Joseph Haydn; in the hand of his amanuensis, J. Radnitzky {Johann Elssler cf. Larsen, Die Haydn-Überlieferung p. 64 etc.}, but signed by the composer at the beginning 'di me Giuseppe Haydn [1]784.'; 1784. They consist of three movements each, generally Allegro moderato, Adagio, and Minuet or Presto, with one example of each of the following movements:— Scherzo, Andante con espressione, and Vivace. They are described in Egerton MS 2380. f. 12, as 'à 2 Flutes traversières et Violoncello.' The composer states in the same place that they were sent to William Forster for publication on 31 May, 1784.

ff. 149-190b. 'Musica Instrumentale sopra le Sette Espressioni del Nostro Redentore in Croce,' for 2 violins, viola, violoncello obbligato, basso, flute, 2 oboes, 4 horns, 2 trumpets (clarini), drum, and bassoons, in parts, by Haydn; about 1787. In the hand of his amanuensis, J. Radnitzky, 'sent 28 June 1787' [to Wm. Forster for publication in London]. Consists of 'L' Introduzione,' 7 movements called 'Sonate,' and 'II Terremoto.' This is the original form of what was afterwards published in cantata-form as 'Die sieben Worte.' Described on f. 149 as ''La Passione' Symphony,' but different from the one of that name written about 1773. For the composer's own description of the work see Egerton MS 2380, ff. 1-7.

ff. 191-386b. Collection of symphonies, etc., in parts, by Haydn, in the hand of his amanuensis, each signed by the composer 'Di me Giuseppe Haydn,' etc.; about 1784, etc. They appear to be the copies sent to William Forster for publication — nos. 1-4, in 1784; the others in 1787 (Egerton MS 2380, ff. 1-7) —. The latter is evidently responsible for the alternative title of 'Overture' and the numbers given on the fly-leaves at the beginning of each. With one or two exceptions (indicated below), the parts consist of flute, 2 oboes, 2 horns, bassoon, 2 violins, viola, and basso or violoncello. The numbers given to them below (in brackets) correspond with those in the composer's list in Egerton MS 2380. f. 12. 1. In E flat. Published by Forster as A Favorite overture (no. 4). f. 191. 2. In G (no. 7). No. 51 in Pohl's list. f. 209. 3. In B flat (8). Overture to 'Armida' [1782]. f. 230. 4. In F (9). No. 49 of Pohl's list. f. 242. 5. In C ['L'ours,' about 1786]. f. 265. 6. In A. Published by Longman and Broderip as no. 3 of Three Symphonies ...op. 52. f. 287. 7. In B flat ['La Poule,' about 1786]; numbered '5' by the composer. The 2nd violin part is wanting. f. 306. 8. In E flat. [No. 3 of the set published at Paris in 1786, and of that published by Longman and Broderip as op. 51.] f. 321. 9. In B flat. 'La Reine de France' [about 1786]. Numbered '3' by the composer. f. 342. 10. In D. No. 10 of Breitkopf and Härtel's 'Symphonien.' f. 362.