Haydn was an Austrian composer born in 1732 who was one of the most prominent figures in classical music. He was musically gifted from a young age but received no formal training in his hometown. At age 6, he joined the household of Johann Frankh and received musical instruction while doing chores. In 1740, Haydn moved to Vienna to sing in the choir at St. Stephen's Cathedral. He later became Vice Kapellmeister and then Kapellmeister for the aristocratic Esterhazy family, serving them for 30 years and having access to resources that allowed him to compose many symphonies and string quartets. In his later years, Haydn found great success in London and mentored
2. 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
3. Growing up with the
Frankhs
Haydn moved in with Johann Frankh,
several miles from his hometown, at age
6
Became Frankh’s musical apprentice
Earned his keep by doing chores
Frequently underfed, underclothed,
lonely
Studied harpsichord, violin and singing
with Frankh, who was a very gifted
musician himself
4. 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
5. Haydn: The (Temporarily) Lost
Boy
Freelance musician after
leaving the choir
Found he did not
understand the basics
of harmony well enough to
write
Studied Fux and C.P.A. Bach’s writings on
counterpoint to improve his music
Attributed many positive qualities of his
compositions to their work
6. Haydn: King of the Castle
Haydn’s compositions improving
increased public interest in his music
Patronage from aristocrats
Taught music lessons
Increased respect from the community
Settled down and got married
Became Kapellmeister of the court of Count
Morzin 1757
Married the sister of a girl he was in love with
Unhappy marriage, though it is not reflected in
his music
7. 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 family
Composed 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
9. 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
10. Papa Haydn: Father of the
Symphony and the String
Quartet
Best – known for his many, many
symphonies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLjwkamp3ll
Paris
London
Military
Surprise
Well known for his contribution to the string
quartet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc34Jr9udlU
Emperors
Sunrise
11. 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 symphonies
Multiple string quartets
Gypsy piano trio
12. 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