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Franz Joseph Haydn is recognized as the father of the symphony, string quartet as well as for synthesizing the piano sonata form. He was a kind person, with a witty humor that often displayed itself in his music. He was blessed with an unusually long life for someone of his time, as well as the good fortune of being employed for some thirty years by the Esterházy family, some of the richest musical patrons in Europe. In becoming the Esterházy's Kapellmeister (music master), Haydn surrendered any dreams of personal freedom, but in return, received job security, as well as the resources to become one of the greatest composers of the Classical period.
Haydn was born in the tiny village of Rohrau, Austria to a modest, yet musical, family. His father was a wheelwright by profession but loved to sing and accompany himself on the harp. Joseph's evenings were spent with his 11 other siblings at his parents' feet, his father playing the harp and the whole family singing. When Joseph was 6, his father recognized Joseph's strong aptitude and love for music and sent him away to study in a nearby town. In an autobiographical sketch, Haydn remembered his training in the following years as "more floggings than food" and without proper teaching. But he listened to everything around him, studied the music of the masters and "thus little by little my knowledge and ability were developed." Haydn was not a prodigy like Mozart, but he had a highly industrious temperament that served him well. Haydn had such a fine voice that at the age of 8, he was discovered and became a choir member and soloist at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. He remained at St. Stephen's until his voice changed at age 18, studying voice, composition, violin and harpsichord.
For the next eight years, he scraped a living in Vienna by composing, accompanying singers and teaching, and became acquainted with several prominent figures in Viennese music circles. In 1759, at the age of 27, he acquired his first steady job as musical director in the household of a Bohemian nobleman, Count Ferdinand Maximillian von Morzin.
In 1761, Prince Paul Anton Esterházy, whom Haydn had met during his time with Morzin, offered him the job of assistant Kappellmeister ((music master) of his orchestra in Eisenstadt. It was in the employ of the Esterházy's that Haydn remained for 30 years, being able to compose for and direct one of the finest orchestras in Austria. The Esterházy orchestra gave Haydn the opportunity to experiment with symphonic writing, string quartets, divertimenti, operas, choral works, and incidental music for plays. It is Haydn's experimentation with composition during this time that has led many to recognize Haydn as the "father of the symphony and string quartet".
By the 1770s, Haydn's fame had begun to spread throughout Europe. In 1781, Haydn met Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met in Vienna, and the two immediately became close friends. Haydn also briefly taught Ludwig van Beethoven in Vienna. Their different personalities made this meeting unrewarding, but Beethoven was a great admirer of Haydn's works.
Prince Nicholas Esterházy died in 1790, and was succeeded by his son Anton, who was less interested in music than his predecessors. Prince Anton retained Haydn as music director but requiring nothing of him. This gave Haydn his long-awaited opportunity to travel to Vienna and to London, England. In London, he was greeted with great public acclaim and composed some of his most famous symphonies, including Symphony No. 94 (The Surprise) and Symphony No. 101 (The Clock).
The new Prince Esterházy ascended the throne in 1794, and restored some of Haydn's previous duties. It is during this time that Haydn composed his most famous oratorio, "The Creation". In 1802, Haydn retired from his official duties. He spent his last years without complaint, although suffering from rheumatism and various illnesses. As the respected elder of music, he apparently enjoyed receiving visitors until he died in 1809. The Mozart requiem was played at his funeral.
Haydn left the world the great gift of his music including 104 symphonies, 83 string quartets, 52 piano sonatas, numerous other concertos and chamber pieces as well as choral works including oratorios, operas and masses.
Other Haydn web sites to visit:
Joshua Lilly's Page - an excellent, in depth, biography that provides a description of his music and links to other musicians of his acquaintance.
Haydn and the Classical Era - an extremely detailed biography including excellent information about the Classical Era as well as listening examples.The Classical Music Pages- another well written biography, with links to a picture gallery, a list of his works, as well as listening examples and general forms of many of his symphonies.
