Commissioned in 1786 by the Paris-based orchestra Le Concert de la Loge Olympique, these six symphonies were created for an extraordinarily large ensemble of both professional and amateur players, including reinforced woodwind parts and a large string section. The symphonies are:
Symphony No. 82 in C major, L´Ours (The Bear), 1786
Symphony No. 83 in G minor, La Poule (The Hen), 1785
Symphony No. 84 in E flat major, In Nomine Domini, 1786
Symphony No. 85 in B flat major, La Reine (The Queen), 1785
Symphony No. 86 in D major, 1786
Symphony No. 87 in A major, 1785
Composer Giuseppe Maria Cambini, a member of the orchestra, noted that the enthusiastically received premieres featured some of the city's finest musicians. A contemporary critic remarked that "Each hearing increases our appreciation and admiration of the works of the great genius, who, in all his pieces, understands so well how to draw the richest and most varied developments from every theme." Reproduced from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel editions, this volume offers musicians and music lovers an inexpensive and authoritative compilation of Haydn's ever-popular works.