(Trumpet Obbligato - Richard Merriman)
The air comes very near the end of the Oratorio. Samson has pulled down the temple of the Philistines, and perished with them in the ruins. His father, Manoah, with grand courage, declares that there is no cause for grief; 'Samson like Samson fell, both life and death heroic.' The women of Israel lift up their voices in praise of Him who ruleth all things: 'Let the bright seraphim their loud uplifted Angel-trumpets blow.'
The impresario, Salomon, in 1791-4, brought Haydn over to England for three visits, which were enormously successful. Part of the bargain was that Haydn should compose some special Symphonies, and twelve were thus brought into existence.
These twelve are the best Haydn ever wrote, and the following conversation is recorded:-
Salomon: 'Sir, I think you will never surpass these Symphonies.'
Haydn: 'Sir, I never mean to try!'
And he never did, for though he lived a good many years longer (until 1809) he never wrote another.
Why is this one of the twelve called 'The Surprise'? The name comes from one chord in the Second Movement. This Movement begins very softly, on Strings alone. Then suddenly comes a crash from the whole band - Strings, Wind and Drums.
A friend called on Haydn, just as he had finished composing this Movement. Haydn played it to him on the piano and remarked: 'Dat sure to make de ladies jump!'
Though the music for Shakespeare's Tempest was written in Sullivan's student days, it was only in 1903, after his death, that it was heard in connection with performances of the play (at the Court Theatre).
