Chordhalla

Haydn Surprise Chord (G): guitar chord

Play it on

Search the library

Famous chords1

Famous

Standard

G · Joseph Haydn

Famous

Haydn Surprise Chord Famous Standard

6 strings

FamousHaydn Surprise ChordSymphony No. 94 in G major, 'Surprise', second movement (Andante), 1791 · Joseph Haydn

Bar 16 of the slow second movement: after a very quiet tune, the whole orchestra with timpani suddenly crashes in on one loud chord

Haydn's 'Surprise' Symphony gets its name from one chord. The slow movement starts with a gentle, very quiet tune, then without warning the whole orchestra and the timpani hit a loud G major chord. The legend says it was meant to wake up dozing listeners; Haydn himself said he simply wanted to surprise the public with something new. On guitar it is a plain open G chord: play it softly, then hit it hard.

Also called The Surprise Symphony chord, Haydn's wake-up chord

Sources: Symphony No. 94 (Haydn) (Wikipedia) · G. Henle Verlag preface/notes to Haydn Symphony No. 94 · Haydn Symphony 94 full score (CCARH edition) · Haydn Symphony No. 94 programme note (Stretta Music)