der Philosoph

The title of Haydn's Symphony #22, "The Philosopher", is thought to derive from the interplay in the first movement between the strings and English horns (melody and counterpoint), simulating a question followed by an answer. The composition evokes the image of a philosopher deep in thought while time passes (alluded to musically by the muted tick-tock effect). This symphony comes to mind every now and then when I find myself contemplating alternatives & having to make a decision .... trying to strike a balance between intuition (being/receiving) and reason (doing/thinking). Other balance images include the seal totem and the Third eye chakra
EMI Classics: Simon Rattle & The City of Birmingham Orchestra
I Adagio
II Presto
III Menuetto & TrioIV Finale (Presto)