This symphony was written a little earlier than its conventional numbering would suggest, probably in 1766 or 1767. This was close to the time when Haydn was promoted to the position of full Kapellmeister in the service of Prince Nicolaus Esterházy's service; the orchestra at Haydn's disposal included four horn players. Thus, this symphony is scored for two oboes, four horns, strings, and continuo (harpsichord and bassoon).

The key of G minor suggests that this symphony is one of those that could take the slightly later "Sturm und Drang" (storm and stress) label. Haydn has the four horns crooked in B flat alto and in G, meaning that he can score complete chords for the horns, and also that he still has two horns available when he uses the relative major key of B flat. This allows for richer and more dramatic scoring.

The harmonic language of the outer movements is unusually harsh. Haydn achieves tension through the device of keeping the first subject quiet, as if repressed, and also by including moments of silence. The first subject includes the only important melodic material of the movement; while there is a secondary idea, it is used mostly for transitions. The second movement, Andante, is for strings only, and it seems a bit dated after the harmonic adventures of the first movement. The minuet re-enters the grim world of the opening movement, but this seriousness is undermined by the jovial aspect of the contrasting Trio section. The finale, however, regains the great inventiveness and dark tone of the opening movement, and adds an energetic drive and nervousness.

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