Symphonie Nr. 101 D-Dur "Die Uhr". Symphonie Nr 94 G-Dur "Mit Dem Paukenschlag"

This vinyl release, catalog number L 3034 on the Viola label, features Joseph Haydn’s iconic Symphonies No. 101 and No. 94. These symphonies, colloquially known as The Clock and The Surprise, were composed during Haydn’s celebrated London periods in the 1790s. The Surprise Symphony in particular is famous for its sudden fortissimo chord in the second movement, designed by Haydn to startle a sleepy audience, while The Clock earns its nickname from the rhythmic, ticking accompaniment in its second movement.

The recording features the Süddeutsche Philharmonie under the baton of Alfred Scholz. This release is part of a wave of mid-to-late 20th-century budget classical pressings, which aimed to make standard symphonic repertoire accessible to a wider public through minimalist packaging and distribution. Such recordings were common in European markets during this era, often favoring functional, utilitarian design aesthetics that prioritized the music over ornate presentation.