Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
Considered the father of the symphony and the string quartet, Joseph Haydn left his mark on almost every musical genre of his time. Together with Mozart and Beethoven, he epitomizes Viennese classicism. Indeed, this emblematic trio has been dubbed the "Viennese classical trinity". Joseph Haydn's prolific output has influenced generations of composers.
Opera, symphony, quartet, sonata and sacred music: Joseph Haydn devoted his long life to music. Newzik presents the story of the Austrian musician who left his mark on classical music, through the highlights and masterpieces of his career.
A sacred musical education combining singing and instrument learning
An early taste for music
Real name Franz Joseph Haydn, Joseph Haydn was born in 1732 in a modest Austrian village. His father, a wheelwright by trade, played the harp without knowing how to read musical notes, accompanied by his wife on vocals. From the age of 5, Joseph imitated them by rubbing a stick on wood, as if he were playing the movement of a bow on the strings of an imaginary violin.
In the late 1730s, Jospeh Haydn went to live with his cousin and schoolmaster Mathias Franck in Hainbourg. Here, Joseph Haydn learned to read, write, sing and play the principal string instruments from the choirmaster.
Promising beginnings in religious singing
At the age of 8, Haydn was spotted by imperial choirmaster Georg Reutter for his singing talents, and joined the choir of Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral. He remained there for almost ten years, singing a wide variety of compositions. Haydn learned a great deal of practical skills: singing, violin, harpsichord, accompaniment... but little theory.
The adventure came to an abrupt end in 1749, when Joseph Haydn lost his voice and was dismissed from his master's program. Left to his own devices and with no money, Haydn began a long self-taught journey.
A career rich in varied compositions
Formative years in orchestras
Wandering the streets of Vienna, Joseph Haydn was taken in by a singer friend, Johann Michael Spangler. In order to survive, Haydn divided his time between lessons, serenades and performances in various orchestras.
It was a period rich in experience for Haydn, who devoted his evenings to studying the fundamentals of musical composition. He discovered the brand-new sonatas by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and the great composition treatises of his time. On the apprenticeship front, Joseph Haydn took lessons from the composer Nicola Porpora. This encounter opened the doors to the Viennese musical milieu and enabled him to make rapid progress.
Joseph Haydn then composed his first works: keyboard sonatas, a few dances, religious pieces and a comic opera, Le Diable boiteux.
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The composition of highly acclaimed early works
Haydn formed his musical repertoire by listening to different generations of composers, particularly at the public concerts (or "academies") that were proliferating in Vienna at the time. Joseph Haydn also forged ties with music lovers from aristocratic backgrounds.
Baron Karl Joseph von Fürnberg commissioned string quartets from him. In 1759, it was Count Morzin's turn to take him on as "chamber composer". Haydn wrote his first symphonies for him. However, his benefactor had to dismiss all his musicians, including Haydn. Noticed by Prince Esterházy, Joseph Haydn joined the royal household at the age of 28.
Joseph Haydn's string quartets are a major part of the composer's repertoire.
An intense career in the service of royalty
His role as composer at the Eisenstadt chapel
When Haydn entered the service of Prince Paul Anton Esterházy as vice-choirmaster, he was responsible for 14 musicians performing "chamber" and "table" music.
A great lover of music, the prince also plays the violin and cello. From his travels around Europe, he amassed an incredible musical library and maintained a permanent orchestra in his palace. This provided Haydn with the ideal material conditions to begin his life as a composer.
Joseph Haydn took charge ofa small orchestra, training the musicians and managing the instruments... A crushing burden, but also a unique field for experimentation.
According to his contract, all his works belonged to the Prince. But the Prince never objected to their distribution, and Haydn's reputation grew throughout Europe.
Limitless creativity: the art of composing on demand
Haydn was a composer, conductor, teacher, performing musician, librarian, curator of instruments and chief of staff.
The death of the prince in 1762 did not change the situation: his brother Nicolas continued his patronage. From 1765, the Esterháza Palace became the center of the court's musical life. The palace was to be Haydn's main place of musical activity until 1790. Operas, concerts, religious music... Haydn had to write everything.
In 1766, on the death of chappelle master Georg Joseph Werner, Joseph Haydn continued to write important symphonies, but also displayed his talent in fields as varied as religious music, opera, the piano sonata and the string quartet. He has the onerous task of conducting two opera performances and two orchestral concerts each week, as well as chamber music in the palace or park.
Despite the constraints, Haydn enjoyed exceptional working conditions. He experimented freely, developing his technique and refining his style. He composed dozens of symphonies, quartets, operas, masses, sonatas...
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A rich symphonic repertoire with European influence
A major musician of the 18th century, Haydn composed over 100 symphonies, many of which are considered masterpieces of the classical period.
His triumphant trip to London
In 1791, at the age of 58, Haydn left Austria for the first time, invited to London by violinist and impresario Johann Peter Salomon.
The reception was enthusiastic: Haydn became a veritable musical celebrity, presented to the court. From his very first concert, his Symphony n°92 (known as the Oxford) was acclaimed by the public.
During his two stays in London (1791-1792 and 1794-1795), Haydn composed twelve new symphonies, now known as the London Symphonies (nos. 93-104). They include
Symphony no. 94, known as La Surprise, is famous for its unexpected burst of energy designed to wake up listeners who are a little too relaxed.
Symphony n°100, nicknamed La Militaire, with its innovative instrumentation (military percussion) and martial spirit.
Symphony no. 104, nicknamed London, the climax of this cycle, is powerful, luminous and triumphant.
Haydn also gave private concerts for the British aristocracy, further enhancing his reputation in Europe.
Beethoven, a student of character
On his way back to Austria, Haydn stopped off in Bonn. There he met a passionate young musician: Ludwig van Beethovenat the age of 22. Impressed by his talent, Joseph Haydn agreed to take him on as a pupil in Vienna.
Their collaboration would prove tumultuous. Haydn was methodical, reserved and not very directive. Beethoven, on the other hand, craved independence and recognition. While their relationship was complex, their artistic bond was undeniable: Haydn remained an essential mentor in the training of the future master of Romantic music.
Haydn was no stranger to the geniuses of his time: he enjoyed a sincere friendship with prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Last works and posthumous glory
Creation, the pinnacle of his work
In 1798, Haydn unveiled The Creation, an oratorio inspired by Genesis. Performed by a 400-strong orchestra in Vienna, it was a triumph. The work was performed throughout Europe. He went on to compose The Seasons and The Seven Last lyrics of Christ, consolidating his reputation as a universal composer. In 1801, he composed the Creation Mass, his last major religious work.
Excerpt from Joseph Haydn's oratorio The Creation.
Joseph Haydn, a musician hailed as a pillar of the symphony
By the end of his life, weakened and ill, Haydn was hardly composing at all. He could no longer concentrate properly when writing music.
He left his String Quartet Op. 103 unfinished and **appeared in public for the last time in March 1808, for a performance of La Création conducted by Salieri.
Joseph Haydn died in Vienna in 1809, recognized as the father of the symphony, the string quartet and the German oratorio. Napoleon paid tribute to him at his funeral.
The story of Joseph Haydn in 10 dates
1732 - Birth of Franz Joseph Haydn in Rohrau, Austria
Joseph Haydn was born into a modest family in a small village in Lower Austria, on the Hungarian border.
1740 - Joseph Haydn joins the choir of Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral
Thanks to his soprano voice, the young Joseph Haydn was admitted to the prestigious choir of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.
1753 - Training with Nicola Porpora
Haydn enters the service of Neapolitan composer Nicola Porpora as accompanist and servant. In exchange, he received practical lessons in composition.
1758 - Becomes Kapellmeister to Count von Morzin
Haydn lands his first stable post: Kapellmeister (choirmaster) to Count Karl von Morzin. Here he composed his first symphonies and string quartets, which were already circulating in European aristocratic circles.
1761 - Entry into the service of the Esterházy princes
Haydn entered the service of the powerful Esterházy family, first as assistant, then as official court composer. He had a permanent orchestra and a theater for his operas in the Esterháza palace.
1767 - Composition of the Stabat Mater
Haydn composes his Stabat Mater, a religious work of great expressiveness. It is performed with great success throughout Europe, reinforcing its reputation far beyond the borders of the Empire.
1772 - The Farewell Symphony goes down in history
Haydn's Symphony no. 45, known as Les Adieux, goes down in history as much for its music as for its context. One by one, the musicians leave the stage, urging Prince Esterházy to allow the court to return to Vienna.
1791 - Death of Prince Esterházy and stay in London
After the death of Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, Haydn left his post and moved to Vienna. He met Beethoven, whom he accepted as a pupil. That same year, he was invited to London, where his London symphonies were a triumph.
1798 - Composition of The Creation
At the age of 66, Haydn presented his successful oratorio The Creation(Die Schöpfung) in Vienna's Schwarzenberg Palace. Inspired by Handel's oratorios, this ambitious, spiritual work was a huge success.
1809 - Joseph Haydn dies in Vienna, at the height of his fame
Joseph Haydn dies at the age of 77, hailed during his lifetime as the "father" of the symphony and the string quartet.
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