[FRANZ] JOSEPH HAYDN

  (1732-1809)

  Austrian composer (not, despite some writers, of Croatian
  descent).  Born at Ruhr; cathedral choir-boy in Vienna;
  became pupil of Porpora; married an unappreciative wife, 1760.

 Took post with Hungarian noble family of Estherházy,
  1761-1790,first at Eisenstadt (Austria), then at Eszterházay (Hungary).

  Achieved European reputation there, especially for his symphonies and string quartets.  He established the now CLASSICAL concept of both these types.

 
Visited Britain in 1791/92 and 1794/95, presenting in London the last twelve (Solomon) of his 104 catalogue symphonies, and also other works.  Received Honorary Oxford degree.  Händel's oratorios in London influenced him towards his own CREATION and THE SEASONS, written on his return to Vienna, where he died.

Nicknames have been given to many of his symphonies (BEAR, CLOCK, DRUM-ROLL, FAREWELL, HEN,HORN SIGNAL, HUNT, IMPERIAL, LAMENTATION, LAUDON, LONDON, MARIA THERESA, MILITARY,MIRACLE, MORNING, MOURNING, OXFORD, PASSION, PHILOSOPHER, QUEEN, ROXOLANE, SCHOOLMASTER, SURPRISE), and to his masses, DRUM MASS, GREAT ORGAN, LITTLE ORGAN, NELSON MASS, WIND-BAND MASS), in which he characteristically combines cheerfulness and devotion.

Wrote also two cell concertos (KRAFT), various other conertos, about 80 string quartets (EMPEROR, FIFTHS, FROG, LARK, RAZOR, TOST), 125 trios with baritone; more than 20 Italian and German operas, (e.g. ARMIDA, THE WORLD OF THE MOON, DECEIT OUTWITTED) songs, some in English, EMPEROR'S HYMN, THE SEVEN LAST WORDS, etc. (very prolific throughout long career).

TOY SYMPHONY for work mistakenly ascribed to him.  Brother of Michael Haydn. 
His works are indexed by HOB numbers.

For the music of Joseph Haydn, go to our online store at:

http://klavarskribo.com/
 

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