Question

How does Haydn surprise the listener in his "Surprise" Symphony?

A. It starts very loud and then suddently gets very quiet.
B. He tells the players in the ensemble to leave the stage throughout the piece.
C. By playing slowly and then suddenly playing very quickly.
D. The symphony starts very quiet and then plays very loud, with everyone playing at the same time.

Answer 1

Haydn surprises the listener in his "Surprise" Symphony by starting a movement softly and then suddenly inserting a loud chord played by the entire ensemble.

Step-by-step explanation:

The listener is surprised in Joseph Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony, which is Symphony No. 94, through a sudden and unexpected musical event. Specifically, Haydn plays with listeners' expectations by starting the second movement of the symphony very quietly and calmly, and just when everyone is settled into the gentle melody, he introduces a startlingly loud chord. This sudden loud chord is played by the entire ensemble, which creates a surprise effect that is both humorous and memorable.