The works in this volume show the development of keyboard instruments in an exemplary manner: the early works were intended for harpsichord, two of which were for an instrument with the so-called “Viennese bass octave”, which enabled the musician to play chords larger than a hand span with one hand. In our edition, these passages have footnotes with suggestions on how to play them. The pianoforte was the inspiration behind the later works.

Haydn was also happy to arrange his own compositions ...