The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

JOSEPH HAYDN

Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer. He was born in 1732 at Rohrau and died in 1809. At the age of six he was sent to school at Haimburg, where he learned, among other things, singing and playing by rote. On account of the excellence of his voice he was appointed a choir-boy at St. Stephen's Church, Vienna. At the age of sixteen his voice began to break, and he lost his situation as a chorister. Having made the acquaintance of Metastasio, Porpora, and Cluck, Joseph Haydn gradually attracted public attention, was appointed organist to two churches, and obtained many pupils.

From 1761 to 1790 he was musical director to Prince Esterhazy, and composed during this period a great number of works, including some 120 symphonies for the orchestra, 12 operas, etc. In 1791 and 1794 he visited England, staying there nearly three years altogether, and writing his opera Orpheus and Eurydice. In 1798 he published his oratorio of the Creation, and in 1800 that of the Seasons. His old age was exempt from pecuniary troubles, and he was surrounded by appreciative friends. His last public appearance was at a performance of his Creation in 1808. Joseph Haydn's principal merit consists in his opening up a new development of instrumental composition, of which his 125 orchestral symphonies furnish abundant proof. He may be said to be the originator of the symphony and of the stringed quartette.
Research Joseph Haydn