Haydn was an Austrian composer of the classical period, often
referred to as the “Father of the Symphony” or “Father of the String
Quartet.”
Joseph Haydn was born in Rohrau in Lower Austria. His father was an
enthusiastic musician, therefore, Haydn’s younger brother Michael Haydn
became a composer too.
Joseph Haydn received music education in Hainburg, he learned to play
the harpsichord and violin and sang soprano in the church choir.
Eight-year-old Joseph was discovered by organist from St. Stephen’s
Cathedral in Vienna and took him to the Cathedral Choir. He worked there
until he was 17 years old. After his voice changed, he was let go. He
wandered the streets, earned by rewriting of scores and playing the
violin at balls. First he worked as a musician in an orchestra, and
later accepted a place in a small nobleman’s courtyard. At that time, he
married Anna Maria Keller, who lived with him for forty years.
At this time, Haydn already wrote a few pieces. He didn’t have enough
money to be able to take lessons, so he decided that he would teach
music theory and compositional technique himself. Haydn perfected his
knowledge and in 1761 received an offer to become a member of a private
orchestra of Prince Esterhazy, who was the head of the richest and most
powerful family in Hungary. In 1766, he was promoted to be the head of
the orchestra in a beautiful castle built on the model of Versailles.
Haydn composed at an incredible pace, and his fame came unexpectedly
and quickly. There have been foreign editions and he also began to
receive more and more orders from abroad. As a head of the orchestra, he
had numerous and serious obligations. He also befriended Mozart there
and grew very fond of his music.
After the death of Prince Esterhazy in 1790, Haydn already highly
acclaimed and popular. His duties at court ended, although his salary
and title remained. He accepted an invitation for two visits to London.
He also began to teach Ludwig van Beethoven.
In 1795, the family returned to Esterhazy castle, where Haydn
continued composing. The last few years have been as fruitful as the
previous ones.
Then his health began to deteriorate quickly and he stopped composing
altogether. Joseph Haydn, the great and renowned Austrian composer,
died in 1809 in his Vienna home. At that time, Napoleon’s units entered
the city.
