The 1760s and ‘70s were a time of great immersion for French Creole virtuoso violinist and composer Saint-Georges. He lived in Paris and had become close confidants of the likes of Stammitz, Leduc, and Cannabich. In addition to being personally close to several symphonists, Saint-Georges performed or conducted nearly every Haydn premiere in Paris during this time period. It was during this season that Saint-Georges made his only two contributions to the symphonic genre. 

The opening movement of his second symphony is charming and lively, leading into a Sturm und Drang development section reminiscent of Haydn himself. The Andante movement contains heavy elements of contrapuntal writing echoing the French baroque movement. The final movement contains a driving and bustling feeling that is interrupted by a central minor section that contains references to Leduc’s third symphony. The symphonist and friend had passed only a month before the premiere of Saint-Georges’ second symphony.