In what city was Haydn born? Franz Joseph Haydn: biography, creativity, interesting facts from life. Joseph Haydn. Best works

Franz Joseph Haydn is one of the most prominent representatives art of the Enlightenment. The great Austrian composer, he left a huge creative heritage- about 1000 works in the most different genres. The main, most significant part of this heritage, which determined Haydn’s historical place in the development of world culture, consists of large cyclical works. These are 104 symphonies, 83 quartets, 52 keyboard sonatas, thanks to which Haydn gained fame as the founder of classical symphonism.

Haydn's art is deeply democratic. The basis of it musical style was folk art and music of everyday life. He perceived with amazing sensitivity folk melodies of various origins, the nature of peasant dances, and the special flavor of sound folk instruments, some French song that became popular in Austria. Haydn's music is imbued not only with the rhythms and intonations of folklore, but also folk humor, inexhaustible optimism and vital energy. “Into the halls of the palaces, where his symphonies usually sounded, fresh streams of folk melody, folk jokes, something from folk ideas of life rushed with them” ( T. Livanova,352 ).

Haydn's art is related in style, but the range of his images and concepts have their own characteristics. High tragedy, the ancient stories that inspired Gluck are not his area. The world of more ordinary images and feelings is closer to him. The sublime principle is not at all alien to Haydn, but he does not find it in the sphere of tragedy. Serious thought, a poetic perception of life, the beauty of nature - all this becomes sublime in Haydn. A harmonious and clear view of the world dominates both his music and his attitude. He was always sociable, objective and friendly. He found sources of joy everywhere - in the lives of peasants, in his works, in communication with loved ones (for example, with Mozart, friendship with whom, based on internal kinship and mutual respect, had a beneficial effect on creative development both composers).

Haydn's creative path lasted about fifty years, covering all stages of the development of the Viennese classical school - from its origins in the 60s of the 18th century until the heyday of Beethoven's work.

Childhood

The composer's character was formed in the working atmosphere of peasant life: he was born on March 31, 1732 in the village of Rohrau (Lower Austria) in the family of a carriage maker, his mother was a simple cook. Since childhood, Haydn could hear music different nationalities, since among the local population of Rorau there were Hungarians, Croats, and Czechs. The family was musical: the father loved to sing, accompanying himself by ear on the harp.

Paying attention to rare musical abilities his son, Haydn's father sends him to the neighboring town of Hainburg to his relative (Frank), who served there as a school rector and choir director. Later, the future composer recalled that he received “more punches than food” from Frank; however, from the age of 5 he learns to play the wind and string instruments, as well as the harpsichord, and sings in the church choir.

The next stage of Haydn's life is associated with the musical chapel at Cathedral of St. Stephen's in Vienna. The head of the choir (Georg Reuther) traveled around the country from time to time to recruit new choristers. Listening to the choir in which little Haydn sang, he immediately appreciated the beauty of his voice and rare musical talent. Having received an invitation to become a choir member at the cathedral, 8-year-old Haydn first came into contact with the richest artistic culture Austrian capital. Even then it was a city literally filled with music. Italian opera has long flourished here, academy concerts of famous virtuosos were held, and large instrumental and choral chapels existed at the imperial court and the houses of large nobles. But most importantly musical richness Vienna has a very diverse folklore (the most important prerequisite for the formation of the classical school).

Constant participation in the performance of music - not only church music, but also opera - developed Haydn most of all. In addition, the Reuther Chapel was often invited to the imperial palace, where the future composer could hear instrumental music. Unfortunately, the choir valued only the boy’s voice, entrusting him with the performance of solo parts; the composer's inclinations, awakened already in childhood, remained unnoticed. When his voice began to break, Haydn was fired from the chapel.

1749-1759 - the first years of independent life in Vienna

This 10th anniversary was the most difficult in Haydn's entire biography, especially at first. Without a roof over his head, without a penny in his pocket, he was extremely poor, wandering without a permanent shelter and getting by with odd jobs (occasionally he managed to find private lessons or play the violin in a traveling ensemble). But at the same time, these were also happy years, full of hope and faith in his vocation as a composer. Having bought several books on music theory from a second-hand bookseller, Haydn independently studied counterpoint, became acquainted with the works of the greatest German theorists, and studied the keyboard sonatas of Philipp Emmanuel Bach. Despite the vicissitudes of fate, he retained both his openness of character and his sense of humor, which never betrayed him.

Among the earliest works of the 19-year-old Haydn is the singspiel “The Lame Demon,” written at the suggestion of the famous Viennese comedian Kurtz (lost). Over time, his knowledge of composition was enriched by his association with Niccolo Porpora, the famous Italian opera composer and a vocal teacher: Haydn served as his accompanist for some time.

Gradually, the young musician gains fame in the musical circles of Vienna. Since the mid-1750s, he was often invited to participate in home musical evenings in the house of a wealthy Viennese official (named Fürnberg). For these home concerts, Haydn wrote his first string trios and quartets (18 in total).

In 1759, on the recommendation of Fürnberg, Haydn received his first permanent position - the position of conductor in the home orchestra of the Czech aristocrat, Count Morcin. It was written for this orchestra Haydn's first symphony- D major in three parts. This was the beginning of the formation of the Viennese classical symphony. Two years later, Morcin disbanded the choir due to financial difficulties, and Haydn entered into a contract with the richest Hungarian magnate, a passionate music fan, Paul Anton Esterhazy.

The period of creative maturity

Haydn worked in the service of the princes of Esterhazy for 30 years: first as vice-kapellmeister (assistant), and after 5 years as chief-kapellmeister. His duties included not only composing music. Haydn had to conduct rehearsals, maintain order in the chapel, be responsible for the safety of notes and instruments, etc. All of Haydn’s works were the property of Esterhazy; the composer did not have the right to write music commissioned by others, and could not freely leave the prince’s possessions. However, the opportunity to dispose of an excellent orchestra that performed all of his works, as well as relative material and everyday security, persuaded Haydn to accept Esterhazy’s proposal.

Living on the Esterhazy estates (Eisenstadt and Esterhazy), and only occasionally visiting Vienna, having little contact with the wider musical world, he became during this service the greatest master European scale. For the chapel and home theater Esterházy wrote the majority (in the 1760s ~ 40, in the 70s ~ 30, in the 80s ~ 18), quartets and operas.

Music life at the Esterhazy residence was open in its own way. Notable guests, including foreigners, attended concerts, opera performances, and receptions accompanied by music. Gradually, Haydn's fame spread beyond Austria. His works are successfully performed in major music capitals. Thus, in the mid-1780s, the French public became acquainted with six symphonies called “Parisian” (Nos. 82-87, they were created specifically for the Paris “Olympic Box Concerts”).

Late period of creativity.

In 1790, Prince Miklos Esterhazy died, bequeathing Haydn a lifelong pension. His heir dissolved the chapel, retaining the title of conductor for Haydn. Completely freed from service, the composer was able to fulfill his old dream - to travel outside of Austria. In the 1790s he made 2 tours trips to London at the invitation of the organizer of the “Subscription Concerts”, violinist I. P. Salomon (1791-92, 1794-95). Those written on this occasion completed the development of this genre in Haydn’s work and confirmed the maturity of Viennese classical symphonism (a little earlier, in the late 1780s, Mozart’s last 3 symphonies appeared). The English public enthusiastically received Haydn's music. At Oxford he was awarded an honorary doctorate of music.

The last owner of Esterhazy during Haydn's lifetime, Prince Miklos II, turned out to be a passionate lover of art. The composer was again called up for service, although his activities were now modest. Living in your own home on the outskirts of Vienna, he composed mainly masses for Eszterhaz (“Nelson”, “Theresia”, etc.).

Inspired by Handel's oratorios heard in London, Haydn wrote 2 secular oratorios - “The Creation of the World” (1798) and (1801). These monumental, epic-philosophical works, affirming the classical ideals of beauty and harmony of life, the unity of man and nature, worthily crowned the composer’s creative path.

Haydn passed away at the height of Napoleonic campaigns, when French troops had already occupied the capital of Austria. During the siege of Vienna, Haydn consoled his loved ones: “Don’t be afraid, children, where Haydn is, nothing bad can happen.”.

His younger brother Michael (who later also became a famous composer working in Salzburg), who had the same beautiful treble, was already singing in the choir.

A total of 24 operas in different genres, among which the most organic genre for Haydn was buffa. For example, the opera “Loyalty Rewarded” enjoyed great success with the public.

One of greatest composers of all times is Franz Joseph Haydn. Brilliant musician Austrian origin. The man who created the foundations of the classical music school, as well as the orchestral and instrumental standard that we see in our time. In addition to these merits, Franz Joseph represented the Vienna Classical School. There is an opinion among musicologists that the musical genres of symphony and quartet were first composed by Joseph Haydn. The talented composer lived a very interesting and eventful life. You will learn about this and much more on this page.

Franz Joseph Haydn. Movie.

short biography

On March 31, 1732, little Joseph was born in the fair commune of Rohrau (Lower Austria). His father was a wheelwright, and his mother worked as a servant in the kitchen. Thanks to his father, who loved to sing, the future composer became interested in music. Little Joseph was gifted with perfect pitch and an excellent sense of rhythm by nature. These musical abilities allowed the talented boy to sing in the Gainburg church choir. Franz Joseph would later be accepted into the Vienna Choir Chapel at catholic cathedral Saint Stephen.
At the age of sixteen, Josef lost his job - a place in the choir. This happened just during the voice mutation. Now he has no income to support himself. Out of desperation, the young man takes on any job. The Italian vocal maestro and composer Nicola Porpora took the young man as his servant, but Joseph found benefit in this work as well. The boy delves into the science of music and begins to take lessons from a teacher.
Porpora could not have noticed that Josef had genuine feelings for music, and on this basis famous composer decides to offer the young man interesting job- become his personal valet companion. Haydn held this position for almost ten years. The maestro paid for his work mainly not in money; he worked with young talent music theory and harmony. So the talented young man learned many important musical fundamentals in different directions. Over time, Haydn's financial problems, and his initial works as a composer are successfully received by the public. At this time, the young composer wrote his first symphony.
Despite the fact that in those days it was considered already “too late,” Haydn decided to start a family with Anna Maria Keller only at the age of 28. And this marriage turned out to be unsuccessful. According to his wife, Joseph had an indecent profession for a man. During their two decades of marriage, the couple never had children, which also influenced their unsuccessful relationship. family history. But an unpredictable life brought Franz Josef together with a young and charming opera singer Luigia Polzelli, who was only 19 years old when they met. But the passion faded quite quickly. Haydn seeks patronage among rich and influential people. In the early 1760s, the composer received a job as second bandmaster in the palace of the influential Esterhazy family. For 30 years, Haydn worked at the court of this noble dynasty. During this time, he composed a huge number of symphonies - 104.
Haydn had few close friends, but one of them was Amadeus Mozart. Composers meet in 1781. After 11 years, Joseph is introduced to the young Ludwig van Beethoven, whom Haydn makes his student. Service at the palace ends with the death of the patron - Joseph loses his position. But the name Franz Joseph Haydn has already thundered not only in Austria, but also in many other countries such as Russia, England, France. During his stay in London, the composer earned almost as much in one year as he did in 20 years as conductor of the Esterhazy family, his former

Russian Quartet op.33

Interesting Facts:

It is generally accepted that Joseph Haydn's birthday is March 31st. But his certificate indicated a different date - April 1. If you believe the composer's diaries, then such a minor change was made in order not to celebrate his holiday on April Fool's Day.
Little Joseph was so talented that he could play the drums at the age of 6! When the drummer who was supposed to take part in the procession on the occasion of Holy Week suddenly died, Haydn was asked to replace him. Because the future composer was short, due to the characteristics of his age, then in front of him walked a hunchback, who had a drum tied on his back, and Joseph could calmly play the instrument. The rare drum still exists today. It is located in Hainburg Church.

It is known that Haydn and Mozart had a very strong friendship. Mozart greatly respected and revered his friend. And if Haydn criticized Amadeus’s works or gave any advice, Mozart always listened; Joseph’s opinion always came first for the young composer. Despite their peculiar temperaments and age difference, the friends had no quarrels or disagreements.

Symphony No. 94. "Surprise"

1. Adagio - Vivace assai

2.Andante

3. Menuetto: Allegro molto

4. Finale: Allegro molto

Haydn has a Symphony with timpani strikes or it is also called "Surprise". The history of the creation of this symphony is interesting. Joseph and the orchestra periodically toured London, and one day he noticed how some spectators during a concert fell asleep or were already watching beautiful dreams. Haydn suggested that this happens because the British intelligentsia are not used to listening to classical music and do not have any special feelings for art, but the British are a people of tradition, so they necessarily attended concerts. The composer, the life of the party and a merry fellow, decided to act cunningly. Without thinking twice, he wrote a special symphony for the English public. The piece began with quiet, smooth, almost soothing melodic sounds. Suddenly, during the sound, a drum beat and the thunder of timpani were heard. Such a surprise was repeated more than once in the work. So, Londoners no longer fell asleep in concert halls, where Haydn conducted.

Symphony No. 44. "Trauer".

1. Allegro con brio

2. Menuetto - Allegretto

3. Adagio 15:10

4.Presto 22:38

Concerto for piano and orchestra, D major.

The composer's last work is considered to be the oratorio "The Seasons". He composes it with great difficulty, he was prevented headache and sleep problems.

The great composer dies at the age of 78 (May 31, 1809). Joseph Haydn spent his last days in his home in Vienna. Later it was decided to transport the remains to Eisenstadt.

The entire complex world of classical music, which cannot be covered at one glance, is conventionally divided into eras or styles (this applies to everything classical art, but today we are talking about music). One of the central stages in the development of music is the era of musical classicism. This era gave world music three names, which, probably, any person who has heard at least a little about classical music, can name: Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Since the lives of these three composers were in one way or another connected with Vienna in the 18th century, the style of their music, as well as the brilliant constellation of their names itself, was called Viennese classicism. These composers themselves are called Viennese classics.

"Papa Haydn" - whose papa?

The oldest of the three composers, and therefore the founder of the style of their music, is Franz Joseph Haydn, whose biography you will read in this article (1732-1809) - “father Haydn” (they say that the great Mozart himself called Joseph that way, who, by the way, , was several decades younger than Haydn).

Anyone would put on airs! And Father Haydn? Not at all. He gets up at first light and works, writes his music. And he is dressed as if he were not a famous composer, but an inconspicuous musician. He is simple in food and in conversation. He called all the boys from the street and allowed them to eat wonderful apples in his garden. It is immediately clear that his father was a poor man and that there were many children in the family - seventeen! If not for chance, maybe Haydn, like his father, would have become a master of carriage making.

Early childhood

The small village of Rohrau, lost in Lower Austria, is a huge family, headed by an ordinary worker, a carriage maker, whose responsibility is not the mastery of sound, but carts and wheels. But Joseph’s father also had a good command of sound. Villagers often gathered in the poor but hospitable Haydn house. They sang and danced. Austria is generally very musical, but perhaps the main subject of their interest was the owner of the house himself. Not knowing how to read music, he nevertheless sang well and accompanied himself on the harp, choosing the accompaniment by ear.

First successes

Little Joseph was more clearly affected by his father’s musical abilities than all the other children. Already at the age of five, he stood out among his peers with his beautiful, ringing voice and excellent sense of rhythm. With such musical abilities, it was simply destined for him not to grow up in his own family.

While church choirs were in dire need of high voices - women's voices: soprano, altach. Women, according to the structure of patriarchal society, did not sing in the choir, so their voices, so necessary for a full and harmonious sound, were replaced by the voices of very young boys. Before the onset of mutation (that is, the restructuring of the voice, which is part of the changes in the body during adolescence), boys with good musical abilities could well replace women in the choir.

So very little Joseph was taken into the choir of the church of Hainburg, a small town on the banks of the Danube. For his parents, this must have been a huge relief - in such a early age(Joseph was about seven) no one in their family had yet become self-sufficient.

The town of Hainburg generally played an important role in Joseph’s fate - here he began to study music professionally. And soon Georg Reuther, a prominent musician from Vienna, visited the Hainburg church. He traveled around the country with the same goal - to find capable, vocal boys to sing in the choir of the Cathedral of St. Stefan. This name hardly tells us anything, but for Haydn it was a great honor. St. Stephen's Cathedral! Symbol of Austria, symbol of Vienna! A huge example of Gothic architecture with echoing vaults. But Haydn had to pay more than that for singing in such a place. Long solemn services and court festivities, which also required a choir, took up a huge part of his free time. But you still had to study at the school at the cathedral! This had to be done in fits and starts. The director of the choir, the same Georg Reuther, had little interest in what was going on in the minds and hearts of his charges, and did not notice that one of them was taking his first, perhaps clumsy, but independent steps in the world of composing music. The work of Joseph Haydn then still bore the stamp of amateurism and the very first attempts. For Haydn, the conservatory was replaced by a choir. I often had to learn brilliant samples choral music of previous eras, and Joseph along the way drew conclusions for himself about the techniques used by composers, extracted the knowledge and skills he needed from the musical text.

The boy had to do work that was completely unrelated to music, for example, serving at the court table and serving dishes. But this also turned out to be beneficial for the development of the future composer! The fact is that the nobles at court ate only at high symphonic music. And the little footman, whom the important nobles did not even notice, while serving the dishes, made to himself the necessary conclusions about the structure musical form or the most colorful harmonies. Of course, interesting facts from the life of Joseph Haydn include the very fact of his musical self-education.

The situation at school was harsh: boys were punished petty and severely. No further prospects were foreseen: as soon as the voice began to break and was no longer as high and sonorous as before, its owner was mercilessly thrown out into the street.

Minor start to independent life

Haydn suffered the same fate. He was already 18 years old. After wandering the streets of Vienna for several days, he met an old school friend, and he helped him find an apartment, or rather, a small room right under the attic. It is not for nothing that Vienna is called the music capital of the world. Even then, not yet glorified by the names of the Viennese classics, it was the most musical city in Europe: the melodies of songs and dances floated through the streets, and in the little room under the very roof in which Haydn settled, there was a real treasure - an old, broken clavichord (a musical instrument, one of forerunners of the piano). However, I didn't have to play it much. Most of my time was spent looking for work. In Vienna it is possible to obtain only a few private lessons, the income from which barely allows one to meet the necessary needs. Desperate to find work in Vienna, Haydn begins to wander around nearby cities and villages.

Niccolo Porpora

This time - Haydn's youth - was overshadowed by acute need and constant search for work. Until 1761, he managed to find work only temporarily. Describing this period of his life, it should be noted that he worked as an accompanist for the Italian composer, as well as vocalist and teacher Niccolo Porpora. Haydn got a job with him specifically to learn music theory. It was possible to learn while performing the duties of a footman: Haydn had to not only accompany.

Count Morcin

From 1759, for two years, Haydn lived and worked in the Czech Republic, on the estate of Count Morcin, who had an orchestral chapel. Haydn is the conductor, that is, the manager of this chapel. Here he writes a lot of music, music, of course, very good, but exactly the kind that the count demands from him. It is worth noting that most of Haydn’s musical works were written while performing official duties.

Under the leadership of Prince Esterhazy

In 1761, Haydn began serving in the chapel of the Hungarian Prince Esterhazy. Remember this surname: the elder Esterhazy will die, the estate will pass to the department of his son, and Haydn will still serve. He would serve as Esterhazy's bandmaster for thirty years.

At that time, Austria was a huge feudal state. It included both Hungary and the Czech Republic. Feudal lords - nobles, princes, counts - considered in good form to have an orchestral and choir chapel at the court. You've probably heard something about serf orchestras in Russia, but maybe you don't know that this was also not the case in Europe. in the best possible way. A musician - even the most talented one, even the leader of a choir - was in the position of a servant. At the time when Haydn was just beginning to serve with Esterházy, in another Austrian city, Salzburg, little Mozart was growing up, who, while in the service of the count, would have to dine in the people's room, sitting above the footmen, but below the cooks.

Haydn had to fulfill many large and small responsibilities - from writing music for holidays and celebrations and learning it with the choir and orchestra of the chapel, to discipline in the chapel, the peculiarities of the costume and the preservation of notes and musical instruments.

The Esterhazy estate was located in the Hungarian town of Eisenstadt. After the death of the elder Esterhazy, his son took over the estate. Prone to luxury and celebration, he built country residence- Eszterhas. Guests were often invited to the palace, which consisted of one hundred and twenty-six rooms, and, of course, music had to be played for the guests. Prince Esterhazy traveled to country palace for all summer months and took all his musicians there.

Musician or servant?

A long period of service at the Esterhazy estate became the time of birth of many new works by Haydn. At the request of his master, he writes major works in various genres. Operas, quartets, sonatas, and other works come from his pen. But Joseph Haydn especially loves the symphony. This is a large, usually four-part work for symphony orchestra. It is under the pen of Haydn that the classical symphony, that is, such an example of this genre, on which other composers will subsequently rely. During his life, Haydn wrote about one hundred and four symphonies (the exact number is unknown). And, of course, them most of was created precisely by the bandmaster of Prince Esterhazy.

Over time, Haydn's position reached a paradox (unfortunately, the same thing would later happen to Mozart): they know him, they listen to his music, they talk about him in different European countries, and he himself cannot even go somewhere without the permission of his owner. The humiliation that Haydn experiences from similar attitude the prince to him, sometimes slips in letters to friends: “Am I a bandmaster or a conductor?” (Chapel - servant).

Joseph Haydn's Farewell Symphony

It is rare for a composer to be able to escape from the circle of official duties, visit Vienna, and see friends. By the way, for some time fate brings him together with Mozart. Haydn was one of those who unconditionally recognized not only the phenomenal virtuosity of Mozart, but precisely his deep talent, which allowed Wolfgang to look into the future.

However, these absences were rare. More often than not, Haydn and the choir musicians had to linger in Eszterhaza. The prince sometimes did not want to let the chapel go to the city even at the beginning of autumn. In the biography of Joseph Haydn, interesting facts undoubtedly include the history of the creation of his 45th, so-called Farewell Symphony. The prince once again detained the musicians for a long time in the summer residence. The cold had long set in, the musicians had not seen their family members for a long time, and the swamps surrounding Eszterhas did not help good health. The musicians turned to their bandmaster with a request to ask the prince about them. A direct request would hardly help, so Haydn writes a symphony, which he performs by candlelight. The symphony consists not of four, but of five movements, and during latest musicians One by one they get up, put down their instruments and leave the hall. Thus, Haydn reminded the prince that it was time to take the chapel to the city. Tradition says that the prince took the hint, and summer rest is finally over.

Last years of life. London

The life of the composer Joseph Haydn developed like a path in the mountains. It's hard to climb, but at the end - the top! The culmination of both his creativity and his fame came at the very end of his life. Haydn's works reached their final maturity in the 1980s. XVIII century. Examples of the style of the 80s include six so-called Parisian symphonies.

The composer's difficult life was marked by a triumphant conclusion. In 1791, Prince Esterhazy dies, and his heir dissolves the chapel. Haydn, already a well-known composer throughout Europe, becomes an honorary citizen of Vienna. He receives a house in this city and a lifelong pension. Last years Haydn's life passes very radiantly. He visits London twice - as a result of these trips, twelve London symphonies appeared - his last works in this genre. In London, he gets acquainted with the work of Handel and, impressed by this acquaintance, for the first time tries himself in the oratorio genre - Handel's favorite genre. In his declining years, Haydn created two oratorios that are still known today: “The Seasons” and “The Creation of the World.” Joseph Haydn wrote music until his death.

Conclusion

We examined the main stages of the life of the father of the classical style in music. Optimism, the triumph of good over evil, reason - over chaos and light - over darkness, here character traits musical works of Joseph Haydn.

Name: Joseph Haydn

Age: 77 years old

Place of Birth: Rohrau, Austria

Activity: Austrian composer

Family status: widower

Joseph Haydn - biography

Childhood, family

The beginning of success

The composer Reiter, who came from Vienna, selected singers for the chapel. Franz was then 8 years old, his talent was noticed, and for a couple of years he went to the capital of Austria to sing and study vocal skills in the large cathedral of the city. There, Haydn first began composing his works. Soon Franz Joseph was forced to earn his own living.

Music

At the very beginning of his career, Haydn was dependent on his financial condition, so he was forced to sign a 30-year agreement with Prince Esterhazy. The composer was supposed to work as a bandmaster at the princely court. In winter, Haydn lived in the capital, in the remaining months, and then for 6 years completely, on the prince’s country estate.

Friendship

Haydn became friends with. Their friendship knew no envy; they learned from each other. Just by this time the contract had expired, Franz received his freedom, went to Vienna and almost immediately accepted an invitation from London. Was big music order, working with an orchestra, concert performances. The composer works with forty musicians. A year and a half of work made his biography very successful.

Joseph Haydn - biography of personal life

Haydn was able to improve his financial well-being, which made him a profitable match. At the age of 28, he fell in love with one of the daughters of a hairdresser, who, like the composer, also served at court. The girl decided to go to the monastery. Josef proposed to his beloved older sister. Maria Keller was four years older than Franz. In this union, Haydn did not know happiness. Maria was a bad wife for the composer, she created scandals, spent money, did not share what was Joseph's whole life.

The last years of the composer's life

For the last ten years of his life, Haydn created plays for choral performance, now he had masses and oratorios. On the day of the composer's death in 1809, army troops were in the capital of Austria

on our website) wrote up to 125 symphonies (of which the first were designed for string orchestra, oboes, horns; the latter, in addition, for flute, clarinets, bassoons, trumpets and timpani). Among Haydn’s orchestral works, “Seven Words of the Savior on the Cross” and over 65 “divertimentos”, “cassations”, etc. are also known. In addition, Haydn wrote 41 concertos for a wide variety of instruments, 77 string quartets, 35 trios for piano, violin and cello, 33 trios for other instrumental combinations, 175 pieces for baritone (Count Esterhazy's favorite instrument), 53 piano sonatas, fantasies, etc., and many other instrumental works. The following are known from Haydn's vocal works: 3 oratorios, 14 masses, 13 offertories, cantatas, arias, duets, trios, etc. Haydn wrote another 24 operas, most of which were intended for the modest home theater of Count Esterhazy; Haydn himself did not want their execution in other places. He also composed the Austrian national anthem.

Portrait of Joseph Haydn. Artist T. Hardy, 1791

Haydn's significance in the history of music is based mainly on his symphonies and quartets, which have not lost their vibrant artistic interest to this day. Haydn was the completionist of that process of separation instrumental music from vocal, which began long before him on the basis of dance forms and whose main representatives before Haydn were S. Bach, his son Em. Bach, Sammartini, etc. The sonata form of symphony and quartet, as developed by Haydn, served as the basis for instrumental music for the entire classical period.

Joseph Haydn. Best works

Haydn’s contribution to the development of orchestral style is also great: he was the first to initiate the individualization of each instrument, highlighting its characteristic, original properties. He often pits one instrument against another, one orchestra group- another. That is why Haydn’s orchestra is distinguished by a hitherto unknown life, a variety of sonorities, expressiveness, especially in the last works, which were not left without the influence of Mozart, former friend and a fan of Haydn. Haydn also expanded the quartet form, and by the nobility of his quartet style gave it a special and deep meaning in music. “Merry Old Vienna”, with its humor, naivety, warmth and, at times, unbridled playfulness, with all the conventions of the era of the minuet and braid, was reflected in the works of Haydn. But when Haydn needed to convey a deep, serious, passionate mood in music, here too he achieved a power unprecedented among his contemporaries; in this respect he is directly adjacent to Mozart and