Franz Joseph Haydn, classical music composer

Franz Joseph Haydn

Biography

Franz Joseph Haydn was born in the village of Rohrau, Austria (near the border with Hungary) on March 31, 1732. Though musical, neither of his parents were trained in music or could even read music.  When Haydn's musical talents were recognized, his parents arranged for him to be apprenticed to a relative, Johann Matthias Frankh, who served as schoolmaster and choirmaster in Hainburg. Haydn's musical skills developed quickly. He learned to play both the harpsichord and violin and sang treble parts in the church choir. It is likely that his singing brought him to the attention of Georg von Reutter, the director of music at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. In 1740, having passed his audition with Reutter, Haydn moved to Vienna and worked as a chorister for the next nine years. Reutter was little help to Haydn in the areas of music theory and composition. Yet, Haydn's experience alone working at St. Stephen's as professional musician gave him plenty of opportunities to learn.

After being expelled from St. Stephen's in 1749, first, for being no longer physically able to sing the high choral parts and, second, for an apparent practical joke on a fellow chorister, Haydn began his career as a freelance musician. Knowing that he received insufficient training composition during his time at St. Stephen's, Haydn took it upon himself to work out the exercises of Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus ad Parnassum and study Philipp Emanul Bach's Essay. As his skill in composition grew so do his reputation and by the mid 1750's he was drawing the attention of the aristocracy. In 1757, he accepted the position of Kapellmeister to Count Morzin.

As Kapellmeister, Haydn directed the Count's orchestra and he composed his first symphonies during this time. However, Count Morzin soon incurred financial losses that forced him to dismiss the musicians in his employ. Despite the setback, the Esterházy family, one of the wealthiest in the Austrian Empire, quickly hired Haydn as Vice Kapellmestier in 1761. By 1766, upon the death of the former Kapellmeister, Haydn was promoted to the position of Kapellmeister. Under the Esterházy establishment, Haydn was charged with conducting the orchestra, composing, performing chamber music and eventually even staging operatic productions. With the support of the musical princes of the Esterházy family, Haydn produced a plethora of composition over the succeeding decades.

In 1790, a new prince, and one little interested in music, became the head of the Esterházy estate. Consequently, he dismissed all the musicians and placed Haydn on a pension. Now free from his duties, Haydn took up an offer from Johann Peter Salomon to compose and conduct new symphonies in England. Haydn made two visits to England, one in 1791-92 and another 1794-95, both to much success. Incidentally, it was while in route to England in 1790 that Haydn met a young musician by the name of Beethoven in Bonn, Germany. Beethoven would later study composition with Haydn prior to his second trip to England.

With the success of his trips to England, Haydn was financially secure and in 1795 moved into a large house in Gumpendorf, a suburb of Vienna. At this point, he turned to the composition of large-scale sacred works for orchestra and choir. Though not directly in the employ of the Esterházy family, Haydn composed six masses for them during this time. In 1802, he became physically unable to compose. He was well taken care of during his final years and received several public honors. On May 31, 1809, Haydn died at the age of 77, shortly after Napoleon's troops began their attack on Vienna. A couple of weeks later, on June 15, a memorial service was held and Mozart's Requiem performed.


Composer Title Date Action
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet Op.76 No.5 - Finale: Presto 03/25/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in G Major, Hob XVI No. 6 01/08/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in E Major, Hob: XVI/31 01/26/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Variations in f minor, Hob. XVII: 6 01/10/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob XVI: 52 01/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI/50 08/05/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in A Major Hob. XVI:30 09/14/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob XVI: 52 09/18/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in A-flat Major Hob. XVI:46 01/26/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in D Major Hob. XVI:37 09/10/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:48 01/13/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata No. 34 in e minor, Hob. XVI: 34 01/20/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet op. 20, No. 4 07/21/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in G Major Hob. XVI:6 09/08/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Concerto for Cello no 2 in D major, Op. 101/H 7b 2.mv. 08/10/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII 02/03/2009 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob XVI: 46 09/16/2010 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Andante with Variations, Hob.XVII:6 09/29/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in A-flat Major, Hob. XVI:46 11/04/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Trio in C Major, Hob. XV:27 11/15/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob. XVI 24. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/27/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C Major Hob 35 - Allegro con brio (1st Mov) 11/30/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 28. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1778 12/02/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 29.Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1778 12/04/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 32. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1778 12/08/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 35 Dalle sei sonate Edizione Artaria 1780 12/08/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 36. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Artaria 1780 12/08/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in D Major, Opus 76, No. 5 11/16/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 38. Dalle sei sonate edizione Artari 1780 12/11/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 39. Dalle sei sonate edizione Artaria 1780 12/11/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 20. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Artaria 1780 12/12/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Tre sonate dedicate alla Principessa Marie Esterhazy ( Hob XVI, 40-41-42). Edizione Bossler 1784 12/12/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 43 Edizione: Beardmore & Birchall 1783 12/16/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI, 44. Edizione: Le Duc 1788 12/16/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 45. Edizione Le Duc 1788 12/16/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 48. Edizione Breitkopf & Härtel 1789 12/18/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in G Major, Op. 77, No.1 12/15/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 6. Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel 1800-1806 in Oeuvres complètes de J. Haydn 12/22/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Concerto in F Major, III movement 12/24/2011 Play
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 51.Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel 1800-1806 12/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 52.Edizione Artaria 1798 12/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Hob XVI 10-11 Edizione Cooper 1787-1790 12/29/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonate Hob XVI 7-8-9 Edizione Augener 1895 01/01/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonate Hob XVI 12-13 Edizione Cooper 1790 01/05/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 14 Edizione Cooper 1790 01/07/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 16 Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel, Lipsia, 1907-1933 in Mandyczewski: J. Haydn Werke 01/14/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI G1 Edizione: Wiener Urtext Edition, Vienna, 1964 in J. Haydn: Sämtlicher Klaviersonaten 01/14/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Haydn, Sonata Hob XVI 49 01/19/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 46 Edizione Le Duc 1788 01/26/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 50 Edizione: Caulfield ca. 1800 01/28/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 34 Edizione: Beardmore & Birchall 1783 02/02/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 15 Edizione Le Duc 1785 01/07/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 31 Edizione: Hummel 1778 02/03/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 33 Edizione: Beardmore & Birchall 1783 02/04/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 19 Edizione: Artaria 1788 02/09/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 3 Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel 1907-1933 in Mandyczewski: J. Haydn Werke 02/11/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 25. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/27/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 26. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/27/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 27 Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1778 12/02/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 47 Edizione Artaria 1788 12/18/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 1 Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel, 1907-1933 in Mandyczewski: J. Haydn Werke 04/02/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata No. 47 in B minor Hob. XVI: 32 04/12/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Hob. XV: 29 06/13/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Cello Concerto No.1 C Major-Moderato 06/18/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 4 Edizione: Breitkopf & Härtel 1907-1933 in Mandyczewski: J. Haydn Werke 09/06/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet op. 20, No. 4 12/22/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI: 40 12/26/2012 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Divertimento 03/29/2013 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony No. 45 "Farewell" 03/31/2014 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Trio in C Major, Hob. XV:21 06/16/2014 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 64, no. 3 07/20/2014 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 22. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH. Sonata Hob XVI 21. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn CCSH Sonata Hob XVI 23. Dalle sei sonate Edizione Hummel 1774 11/25/2011 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C-Sharp minor, Hob. XVI: 36 09/03/2014 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Variations in f minor, Hob. XVII: 6 01/27/2015 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in B minor, Op. 33, No. 1 04/07/2015 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in E Major, Hob. XVI:31 05/04/2015 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn String Quartet in C Major, Op. 20, No. 2, Hob.III:32 07/09/2015 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:48 07/20/2015 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Introduction from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata Iː "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata IIː "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata IIIː "Woman, behold thy son!" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata IVː "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata Vː "I thirst" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata VIː "It is finished" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata VIIː "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn The Earthquake from The Seven Last Words of Christ 03/27/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in F Major, Hob. XVI:23 07/11/2016 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony no. 94, "Surprise" 03/26/2017 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Keyboard Sonata in B-flat Major, Hob.XVI:41 12/04/2017 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano Sonata no. 30 in D major Hob. XVI:19 04/01/2018 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn She Never Told Her Love 07/31/2018 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sailor's Song 07/31/2018 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn The Spirit's Song 07/31/2018 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Variations in f minor 12/27/2018 Play
Franz Joseph Haydn Piano sonata no.47 in B minor, Hob.XVI:32 04/15/2019 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony no. 6, Le Matin 06/17/2019 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony no. 70 03/30/2020 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Singt dem Herren, alle Stimmen!, from The Creation 03/28/2022 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Sonata in E-flat Major, Hob. XVI:52 03/28/2022 Play Add to playlist
Franz Joseph Haydn Symphony no. 100, "Military 04/11/2022 Play Add to playlist