Haydn

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN
(1732 - 1809)

MAIN GENRES
Symphony
Concerto
Chamber Music



If you need some sunshine in your day, the music of Haydn will provide it. Forget the "tortured artist" stereotype. Haydn was one of the most cheerful, generous, and kind composers in all of Art Music History, and his music reflects this. In addition, Haydn lived long enough to enjoy his success and was loved worldwide.

Haydn is often dubbed the "Father of the Symphony". Although Haydn did not actually invent the genre, he composed such a large number of quality symphonies that Haydn's model was accepted as the standard to which all future composers would aspire.

NIKOLAUS I

Extremely poor in his youth, Haydn eventually was hired at the court of Nikolaus I, Prince Esterhazy of Hungary where he worked as Kapellmeister for 29 years.






Haydn's duties kept him extremely busy but he was well loved and respected by the prince and the musicians in his orchestra.

By the time Nikolaus I died, Haydn's fame had spread worldwide and the nobles all over Europe were offering Haydn positions at their royal courts.

JOHANN PETER SOLOMON

Rather than be tied down to another court position, Haydn accepted an offer from violinist Johann Peter Solomon to visit London, England for two residences in 1791 and 1794.






The London visits were enormously successful, earning Haydn large amounts of money, admiration, and respect. For the two visits, Haydn composed his last twelve symphonies (numbers 93-104) which are collectively known today as the London Symphonies. These twelve works are the most perfectly constructed set of symphonies in the Classical Period, and arguably, in all of Art Music History.

18TH CENTURY LONDON

WHERE TO START WITH HAYDN?

A great place to begin listening to Haydn's music is to choose any of the twelve London Symphonies. The most popular tend to be Symphony 94 (nicknamed "Surprise"), Symphony 100 (nicknamed "Military"), and Symphony 104 (nicknamed "London"). It is slightly confusing that Symphony 104 is also nicknamed "London" but it also signifies the importance of the work in the set.

Haydn also composed many excellent works in the genre of Concerto. The most performed by far is the famous Trumpet Concerto. My personal favorite is the Horn Concerto 2 which interestingly, may have actually been written by Haydn's brother, Michael.