Joseph Haydn 1732 -1809 Haydn s Early life

Joseph Haydn (1732 -1809)

Haydn’s Early life n Musical background until six years old- Folk songs and peasant dances n Age eight- Choirboy in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, dismissed when his voice changed n Gave music lessons, taught himself composition, took odd jobs until 1761 n Hired by the Esterházys, the richest and most powerful of the Hungarian noble families n Composed for the Esterházys for 30 years

Haydn’s Under the Esterhazys’ n Composed for performances in the palaces of the family, including Eszterháza, which had and opera house, a theater, two concert halls, and 126 guest rooms n Hired to compose music, conduct the orchestra, coach singers, oversee instruments and music library n Usually two concerts and operas per week, as well as daily chamber music n Word spread and Haydn became immensely popular

Haydn’s later life n Visited London twice- One from 1791 to 1792 and again from 1794 to 1795 n Composed twelve symphonies for his visited, now called the London Symphonies n Appearances in London were incredibly successful n Given an honorary doctorate from Oxford n Composed six masses and two oratorios in his late sixties n Died in 1809

Haydn’s Works n Composed over 750 pieces and arranged over 300 songs, including: 104 symphonies n 45 piano trios n 2 oratorios- The Creations and The Seasons n Over 70 String Quartets n 15 operas n 14 operas n

Haydn’s Style n Robust and direct style n Much of the music has a folk flavor n Short, simple motifs are used to develop larger forms n Uses “humor” in music- sudden loud chords, false endings, inventive rhythmic section n Generally upbeat pieces

Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major, First Movement n Written for the new keyed trumpet, which was not restricted in the notes it could play n Festive and radiant n Theme played by orchestra before being taken up by the trumpet n Evolves into a fanfare-like melody

String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 33 No 2, Movement IV n Nicknamed “The Joke” n In a Rondo form- ABACA n A section is in the tonic and is subdivided into aabaab n B begins in the subdominant (Ab), then moves to F minor, then back to Eb major for the second A n C is new, but does not modulate n What’s the Joke? n Haydn adds progressively longer pauses in the coda, making the audience think the piece is over