10 facts about franz joseph haydn

Franz Joseph Haydn (–) was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. Haydn wrote symphonies in total, as well as 83 string quartets, 45 piano trios, 62 piano sonatas, 14 masses and 26 operas, amongst countless other scores.

Biography of franz joseph hayden Haydn's new intentions also meant that he was willing to spend much time on a single work: both oratorios took him over a year to complete. Sinfonia Concertante in B flat major, Hob. Archived from the original on 18 November His time in London was the high point of his career.

Life and Music
The son of a wheelwright and a local landowner's cook, Haydn had such a fine voice that at the age of five he entered the Choir School of St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

His ethereal treble tones lasted until he was 16, a fact noticed by the Habsburg Empress, Maria Theresa, who uttered her famous criticism: "That boy doesn't sing, he crows!".

Haydn left the choir in memorable fashion - snipping off the pigtail of one his fellow choirboys - and was publicly caned.

By the s, Haydn's music had become more distinctive and boldly individual, inspired by a form of heightened emotionalism known as 'Sturm and Drang' (storm and stress). The composer's reputation spread rapidly throughout Austria, and commissions began arriving from abroad.

saw the death of Prince Nicholas Esterházy, Haydn's employer since , and the musically indifferent Anton became the new Crown Prince.

Haydn moved to Vienna and accepted an invitation from the great German-born violinist and impresario, Johann Peter Salomon, to visit England (), where he found himself adored.

Prince Anton Esterházy died in , and his successor, Nicholas II, requested Haydn's return to Esterháza.

Biography of franz joseph haydn Haydn passed his audition with Reutter, and after several months of further training moved to Vienna , where he worked for the next nine years as a chorister. Cello Concerto No. See more Haydn Guides. While he had been a servant, and later a busy entrepreneur, Haydn wrote his works quickly and in profusion, with frequent deadlines.

A lover of church music, Nicholas set Haydn the task of composing a new setting of the mass every year.

In , Haydn retired from Esterháza, and illness effectively prevented him from any further composition. During May , Napoleon reached Vienna, but Haydn stayed there, guarded respectfully by two of the invader's sentries.

On 31 May Haydn died peacefully in his sleep.

Did you know?
The choirmaster at St Stephen's Cathedral suggested Haydn become a castrato, but his father objected and the operation never went ahead, Haydn's voice broke the following year.

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