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Haydn's early concerto for horn dates from 1762 - the second year of Haydn's long tenure as Kappellmeister of the Esterhazy court. Musicologists debate the intended occasion and soloist. Many have suggested it was composed for Thaddaus Steinmüller, one of the first musicians hired by Haydn the previous year, while others argue for it being composed for the baptism of one of the children of Joseph Leutgeb, the famous hornist for whom Mozart wrote concertos.
The so-called second concerto, thought to date from around 1767 is now regarded by most Haydn scholars as doubtful. It was first mentioned in the Breitkopf catalogue of 1781 and haydn's brother Michael is argued to be the real composer, though others are in the running as well. The ca.1781 Dresden manuscript simply states it was composed by Signor Haydn, though the main source for the present edition is a copy of a Zwittau manuscript made by Eusebius Mandyczewski.
The present editions were prepared by Clark McAlister on the basis of the first edition and other authoritative sources and published in 1994 by the now-defunct E.F. Kalmus. Serenissima is proud to now be the exclusive source for McAlister's excellent edition and the present study score is produced ina handy and easy to read format.
