Haydn reportedly placed the sudden loud chord in this quiet, gentle theme to startle audience members who had dozed off during the concert — and it works just as well today. His Symphony No. 94 has been nicknamed “The Surprise Symphony” ever since. Haydn had a wonderful sense of humor, and this little musical joke is one of the most delightful in all of classical music.
Free piano sheet music for "Surprise!
--from Haydn's Symphony"