Biography and Chief Works of Franz Joseph Haydn

 1732.

  • Born at Rohrau, in Lower Austria.  Father a wheelwright; mother a cook.  He was one of 12 children.

1740. 

  •   Entered the Vienna choir school, because of his good voice. His younger brother Michael also entered later, and took Joseph’s place when his voice broke.

1745.

  • Left choir school and attempted to live in Vienna by teaching music and accompanying for a singing teacher.  But they were lean years.  Had had little instruction in composition, but discovered C. P. E. Bach's clavier sonatas and leamt much from studying them.  Gradually acquired more text books and taught himself.

1755.

  • Invited to stay at country house at Weinzierl to perform and compose music for the players he found there.  Wrote his first string quartets and other chamber music, and his first works for a small orchestra: divertimenti, cassations and miniature symphonies.

1756.

  • Returned to Vienna and gradually became known as a performer and teacher.

1759.

  • Obtained a small post as music director to a count, at a salary of £20 a year, where he had more opportunities of composing for a small orchestra.  Married the following year, but marriage unhappy and childless.

1761.

  • Appointed second Kapellmeister to Esterhazy, a wealthy and musical Hungarian prince, who had an orchestra of his own at Eisenstadt, his country seat.  Later became first Kapellmeister.  The orchestra was enlarged and rehearsed every day.  He wrote 30 symphonies and many slighter orchestral and chamber works in this period.

1766.

  • The prince built an enormous new summer residence "Esterhaz", as grand as Versailles, in the middle of remote, marshy country.  Had two theatres in the grounds, for which Haydn wrote operas, and music for puppet plays.  Wrote another 30 symphonies and much other orchestral and chamber music.  Prince stayed at Esterhaz for a large part of the year, but Haydn welcomed the seclusion, as it gave him the opportunity to compose and experiment, and he was forced to become original.  Fame spread throughout Europe, and many of his works published.

1781.

  • Met Mozart in Vienna.  They continued to meet occasionally when Haydn visited Vienna.  Each admired the other, and leamt from the other's compositions, Mozart's musical forms becoming more free, and Haydn's orchestration becoming more full of color.

1790.

  • Esterhazy died, leaving Haydn a pension.  New prince dismissed orchestra.  Haydn settled in Vienna.  Had previously been asked to visit London but had not felt he could leave Prince.  Being now free, he came to London on the invitation of a violinist, Salomon.  Received with acclamation.  Given a Doctorate at Oxford.  Paid many visits.  

  • Produced first 6 of London symphonies.  Many other works performed.  Stayed two years.

1792.

  • Traveled through Bonn on way home and met Beethoven, who followed him to Vienna for lessons.

1794.

  • Another visit to London.  The second 6 London symphonies-commissioned.  Made sufficient money to keep him in his old age.  Heard and was impressed by Handel's oratorios.  Took libretto of 'Creation' back with him.

1795.

  • Returned to Vienna, living there for the rest of his life, but visiting Esterhaz each summer. 1797.  Composed 'Emperor's Hymn', the Austrian national anthem, and incorporated it in the 'Emperor' quartet.  Composed 'The Creation', which was performed everywhere.  Old age passed in Vienna, among friends, revered by everyone; world famous.

1809.

  • Died in Vienna when invading forces of Napoleon were in occupation.

A simple, genial person, whom everyone loved.  Affectionately known as Papa Haydn.  Strong sense of humor.  Devout catholic.  His development of sonata form, the quartet, and the modem symphony make him a figure of great historical importance.  Excellent sense of form made it possible for him to produce unexpected irregularities of phrase length and unusual formal shapes which yet create a satisfying balance.  Love of folk-like tunes, particularly in finales.

Much chamber music, including 83 string quartets, some with nicknames such as the 'Bird', the 'Lark', the 'Razor', the 'Emperor'.

Much orchestral music, including 104 symphonies, the best known being the 'Farewell', the 6 'Paris' symphonies, the 'Oxford' and the 12 'London' symphonies, including the 'Surprise', the 'Military', the 'Clock', the ‘Drum Roll’ and the 'London'.  Many smaller orchestral works, divertimenti, cassations, etc.  Concertos not often played today, except for one cello concerto and the trumpet concerto.

Oratorios: ‘The Creation' and 'The Seasons'.  Much church music, including at least 12 known masses.

A number of slight and rather unimportant operas, and puppet operas.

60 Clavier sonatas, 8 of them lost.  Other small Clavier works, not of great importance.

Large number of songs, including arrangements of folk songs, many of them Scottish; canons and rounds.  Rarely heard today.