FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN.

Allegro Music School Belize .

Born: 1732 in Austria.

Died: 1809.

Period of music: Classical.

Instruments he played: Harpsichord, Piano, Organ and violin.

“IMPORTANT FACTS”

Major compositions:

Piano: Sonata in E-flat major, Hob. XVI: 52

Concerto in G major, Hob. XVIII:4

Concerto in D major, Hob. XVIII:11

Orchestra: Symphony No. 94 in G major (The surprise)

Symphony No. 101 in E-flat Major (The clock)

String Quartet: The joke, Op. 33, No. 2

The frog, Op. 50 No. 6

The sunrise Op. 76. No.4

Oratorio: The creation, Op. 33, No. 2

INTERESTING FACTS:

Haydn was called “Papa” even though he never had any children. He had a good sense of humour and likeable disposition.

THE STORY OF HAYDN.

Haydn was born in Austria in 1732. He grew up in a musical home and at the age of 5 he was sent to study with a relative who live near to Vienna. When Haydn was 8 he became a member of the famous boys choir at Vienna’s St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Here he sang for 9 years but then had to leave when his voice changed.

Haydn then supported himself by playing in small ensembles, teaching the harpsichord, playing the organ in churches and accompanying singers. He also studied composition and began composing keyboard works, a mass and a string quartet.

Haydn’s reputation grew and when he was 29 he was hired as the Kapellmeister (director of a choir or orchestra) by a wealthy Hungarian noble family by the name of Esterházy. The orchestra he conducted became known as one of the finest of that time.

Haydn often used his sense of humour to his advantage. Once the prince decided to stay two months longer than usual at his country home, making the orchestra stay with him. The players were unhappy because they were anxious to leave the country and return to their families in Vienna. Haydn championed their cause in a humorous manner. He composed a symphony called “The farewell”. During the symphony, one of the players pick up his instrument and left the stage. Other players gradually followed the first. The audience watched in astonishment until there were no players left. Haydn had made his point with the prince and the next day the players were permitted to leave for home.

Symphony No. 101 in E flat major (The clock) link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdpr7PnySKU

In 1790, Hayden visited London where he conducted a series of concerts featuring his symphonies. He was enthusiastically received and Oxford University awarded him an honorary doctorate of music.

Some of his finest string quartets and symphonies were composed during this time including:

Symphony No. 94 in G major (The surprise)

Symphony No. 101 in E flat major (The clock)

Haydn was considered the father of the string quartets, some of his best-known quartets are

“The joke” Op. 33 No. 2

“The bird” Op. 33 No. 3

“The frog” Op. 50. No. 6

“The sunrise” Op. 76 No. 4

Symphony No. 94 in G major (The surprise)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVXalu0p1wo

“The joke” Op. 33 No. 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZo9FoajL4A

Soon after Haydn returned to Austria in 1795 he composed The Emperor’s hymn, which became the Austrian National Anthem, and “The creation” one of his best known Oratorios.

“Papa Haydn” as he was called by his friends in appreciation of his good sense of humor and likeable disposition, was one of the greatest composers of the Classical Period.

“The frog” Op. 50. No. 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymAFECxj3to