Biography

Joseph Haydn

Jump to

Haydn had a hard childhood: at six years old he had to work as a boy singer in a choir and after his voice broke he had to earn his money by playing dance music and serving as a butler. Becoming famous for his compositions Haydn was employed as "Kapellmeister" by Fuerst Esterhazy in Eisenstadt in 1761. For thirty years he served him and composed his pieces for the pleasure of the aristocrats; his musicians used to call him "Papa Haydn" as he was caring for them and was socially engaged. After the death of Esterhazy Haydn moved to Vienna leaving it only twice for London where he composed his "London symphonies".
- IMDb mini biography by: Volker Boehm

His birthdate is often reported as March 31, 1732, but this is a fabrication of his well-meaning brother, Johann Michael Haydn, who did not want his famous sibling to be remembered as an "April's Fool".
Was the first composer to indicate dynamic markings in his music.
Is generally credited with developing a form of music commonly known today as "sonata-allegro form", most often used in the first movement of many symphonies and concertos. This form consists of four distinct sections: the exposition, in which the themes of the movement are stated; the development where these themes are developed further (broken down, fragmented, inverted, etc.); the recapitulation in which the themes are restated; and the coda, a closing statement. An introduction may or may not be included.
His more famous symphonies have appropriate nicknames. The "Farewell" symphony dropped a hint to Esterhazy that the musicians deserved a vacation; the "Clock" symphony suggests a ticking clock. The "Surprise" symphony (#94, in G Major) features a fortissimo chord in the second movement, the "surprise" written to make the ladies of the court jump in their seats.
Wrote some 40 operas, very few of which are performed today.

I was never a quick writer, but composed with great care and efforts.
There was no one near to confuse me, so I was forced to become original.
I was cut off from the world. There was no one to confuse or torment me, and I was forced to become original.
I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.

Suggest an edit or add missing content