In 1761, Joseph Haydn was appointed vice-Kapellmeister for Prince Paul Esterhazy, a great devotee and patron of music. Haydn held this position for almost thrity years until the prince's death. The latter's successor, having no taste for music, made the decision to dissolve the orchestra. At this point in his career, Haydn enjoyed an international reputation and received numerous commissions from France and England. It was then that an English impresario and violinist, Peter Salomon, traveled to Vienna to persuade Haydn to come and present concerts in London. Haydn accepted and composed the first six "London" symphonies. The concerts proved so successful and popular that King George III tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade him to stay. A second tour was arranged in 1794 for which Haydn composed the second set of six "London" symphonies, which were the last symphonies he wrote.

Haydn started composing “The Clock” Symphony in Austria in 1793, but completed it in London in 1794. This symphony owes its nickname to the rhythm of the pendulum, which animates its slow movement, constantly circulating from one instrument to another.