It’s April Fools Day! We could all use a laugh, now more than ever. Classical musicians like to play practical jokes as much as anyone, and several composers even wrote jokes into their works.

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) composed two works in particular that have entertained audiences for centuries with their humorous nature. His famous “Surprise” Symphony shocks sleepy audience members to attention with the loud chord near the opening of the 2nd movement. Warning: don’t fall asleep next time you attend an orchestra concert, or you might be rudely awakened!