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Joseph Haydn
Helping shape the symphony and string quartet into major classical forms.
Symphony No. 94 · Emperor Quartet
- Born
- 31 March 1732
- Birthplace
- Rohrau, Austria
- Died
- 31 May 1809
More people
Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer whose long service to the Esterházy family and later London successes produced an extensive body of orchestral, chamber and choral music.
Early life
Village origins
Grew up in a household that enjoyed singing, although his parents were not trained professional musicians.
Vienna choirboy
Sang at St Stephen’s Cathedral before supporting himself through teaching and freelance musical work.
Career
- 1761
Esterházy appointment
Entered the service of the princely family that employed him for much of his career.
- 1791–1795
London success
Two extended visits brought public concerts and the final group of his symphonies.
- 1798–1801
Late oratorios
Returned to Vienna and produced The Creation and The Seasons.
Selected work
Symphony No. 94
The Surprise Symphony includes a sudden loud chord in its otherwise gentle slow movement.
Emperor Quartet
Its slow movement develops variations on Haydn’s imperial anthem.
The Creation
A large oratorio depicts the creation of the world.
Beyond work
Musical friendships
Was a friend and mentor to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and later taught Ludwig van Beethoven.
An English honour
Oxford awarded him an honorary doctorate during his first London visit.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Thomas Hardy. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
