Based on the Henle Complete Edition of the Works of Joseph Haydn.Orchestral parts available in a large format (25.5 x 32.5 cm).Haydn?s Symphony No.26 received its nickname Lamentazione during his lifetime though it is unclear whether this stems directly from the composer. This work probably originated no later than 1770. Its first and second movements quote excerpts from Gregorian chants used in Holy Week. In Haydn?s day it was customary to play individual movements in church services and it may be assumed that these two movements were performed and possibly composed independently from each other.Continuing thecollaboration between Bärenreiter and the Henle publishing company in the areas of large-scale choral works operas and symphonies Haydn?s Symphony No.26 is appearing based on the Henle Complete Edition of the Works of Joseph Haydn. The complete performance material for several of Haydn?s Sturm und Drang symphonies and all of the London and Paris symphonies has already been published.

The image and concept of this piece is easiest to describe by using the visual images of the Dutch artist M. C. Escher. He made many woodcuts where the whole surface of the picture has a figurative function often just in black and white. For example a row of white ducks 'transversing' the painting which are described by black ducks transversing in the opposite direction. In this way the two figures describe each other so to speak.In this piece melody has been approached in a similar way: a melody is used which can be framed in rhythmically different groupings - in groups of fours or fives etc- thus creating new hierarchical melodies which grow more and moreobvious to the ear. The initial melody then becomes background to the new melody until disappearing and a new rhythmical pattern is imposed on the second melody and so forth. Later the different 'rhythm melodies' are woven together creating a new perceptual image one that is at the same time actually a 'holographic' reproduction of the initial melody. The latter situation is similar to the way Bach makes hidden 3- or 4-part counterpoints in his Cello suites by intersecting the parts successively into beautifully interwoven patterns.The very static sections of the piece are chiefly inspired by the powerful singing of the buddhist-monks of Tibet who are able to relax their vocal chords to such an extent that they create an overpowering deep note not normally thought to be produced by a human voice. Figure and Ground Study I was first performed by Mats Olofson at the Numus Festival 1995.