Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major: Originality and Virtuosity

Haydn wrote his Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major while serving the Hungarian Esterhazy family. He claimed that his position of Kapellmeister at the Esterhazys’ palace led him to become original in his composing. He wrote this piece for a specific cellist in the Esterhazys’ orchestra, and sought to display that soloist’s great skill. This paper examines each of the concerto’s three movements with a focus on discovering  originality and virtuosity  in Haydn’s writing. It also explores the concerto’s intriguing history and its prominent place in symphonic repertoire today.