Joseph Haydn’s two extended visits to London, in 1791 and 1794, were the greatest triumphs in his career. Having already composed 92 symphonies, he produced 12 more during those London visits. The English were stunned by his new masterpieces, which Haydn personally directed in performance. Audiences knew that they were in the presence of the greatest composer in the world. Mozart was already dead, and Beethoven not yet known.

In September 2009 during the Europäisches Musikfest the SWR Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart and Sir Roger Norrington celebrated the memory of Joseph Haydn by performing and recording live all 12 London Symphonies. With regard to orchestra size, seating, tempo, phrasing, articulation and sound, they focused on a historically informed performing style, their aim being to recreate the majesty, the folk-like simplicity, the infectious sense of dance, the surprises, and the humour that were all typical of the Father of the Symphony.