FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

Everything you ever wanted to know, and more, about...

The Facts Born in 1732, died in 1809

Composer of the Classical era (1750 – 1820)

Born in Rohrau, Austria

Musical family

Though very gifted musically, Haydn could not receive any training in Rohrau

Growing up with the Frankhs Haydn moved in with Johann Frankh,

several miles from his hometown, at age 6Became Frankh’s musical apprenticeEarned his keep by doing chores

Frequently underfed, underclothed, lonely Studied harpsichord, violin and singing

with Frankh, who was a very gifted musician himself

Vienna waits for Haydn In 1740, Haydn’s singing voice comes to the choir

director of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna

Performed an excellent audition and moved to Vienna to sing in the church’s choir

Joined shortly thereafter by his brother

Continued to study music with Reutter, the choral director, and absorbed all he could from Vienna (which was a musical and cultural hubcap at the time) until 1749 when he was dismissed

Haydn: The (Temporarily) Lost Boy Freelance musician after

leaving the choir

Found he did not understand the basicsof harmony well enough towrite

Studied Fux and C.P.A. Bach’s writings on counterpoint to improve his musicAttributed many positive qualities of his compositions to

their work

Haydn: King of the Castle Haydn’s compositions improving increased

public interest in his music Patronage from aristocrats

Taught music lessonsIncreased respect from the community

Settled down and got marriedBecame Kapellmeister of the court of Count

Morzin 1757Married the sister of a girl he was in love withUnhappy marriage, though it is not reflected in his

music

Haydn: King of Another Castle 1761 Vice Kapellmeister in the court of the

Esterhazys (HUGELY important Austrian family!)Promoted in 1766

As Kapellmeister:Lived and travelled with the familyComposed court, church, occasional and art music for

the family

A challenging and welcome opportunity for Haydn

Lived and worked with the Esterhazys for 30 years

The Esterhaza Palace

Nikolaus Esterhazy I

Great love of music Appreciated Haydn’s

talent and ambition

Gave Haydn access to any musical instruments, ensembles and resources he would ever need

Provided Haydn with the time, means and space to write, rehearse and stage all of his compositions

Papa Haydn: Father of the Symphony and the String Quartet

Best – known for his many, many symphonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3ll

ParisLondonMilitarySurprise

Well known for his contribution to the string quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc34Jr9udlU

EmperorsSunrise

Post-Esterhaza After Nikolaus I’s death, Haydn

visits London as a conductor

Warmly received by London audiences

Acting as a musical mentor to Mozart and Beethoven

Musical and financial success in London prompts Haydn to produce some of his finest work:London, Surprise, Oxford symphoniesMultiple string quartetsGypsy piano trio

The Final Years Return to Vienna

From 1795 onwards, Haydn composed a substantial amount of sacred music Oratorio, mass The Creation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Jkktpp9QI

Still composing music for his beloved Esterhazy family

Becomes ill early in the 1800s and finds writing music physically painful

Died in 1809 – his last words were words of comfort to his distressed servants as Vienna was attacked by Napoleon’s army