The four symphonies included on this recording date from an early period of Haydn’s career, when he was experimenting with a newly developing form. Nos. 18-20 were written around 1759 when Haydn had his first steady employment as music director to Count Morzin. Symphony No. 21 in A major dates from circa 1761 when Haydn entered the service of the Esterházy family. Scored for oboes, horns, strings and continuo, all four works are characteristically inventive. Symphony No. 20 in C major, is unusually scored for additional trumpets and timpani.