FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN

Franz Joseph "Papa" Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria, on March 31, 1732. He was surrounded at an early age by music, as his family gathered on Sunday nights to sing, accompanied by Bach's father, who was an amateur harpist. He received his first real education from cousin Johann Mathias Franck, who taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic. In addition to the three "R"'s, Franck instructed Haydn in instrumental playing. He practiced the harpsichord in a rented attic room above the home of famous Italian librettist Pietro Metastasio. Metastasio recognized Haydn's talents and recommended that he tutor a local Spanish family. Haydn also worked as an accompanist to the students of Nicolo Porpora. In exchange for these services rendered, Porpora gave Haydn lessons in composition. In 1760, Haydn married Maria Anna Keller, which turned out to be a disaster. Haydn tried for most of his life to avoid her company, and supporting her by sending her money. In 1761 Haydn met Prince Paul Anton Esterhazy of Eisenstadt, who, upon hearing one of Haydn's symphonies, hired him as second Kapellmeister. When the Prince died in 1762, his successor Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy hired Haydn. Haydn's new employer was very demanding, requiring two operatic and two formal performances per week. Haydn's period of employment with Prince Esterhazy was an important segment of Haydn's career. During this time, Haydn produced keyboard pieces, operas, 83 string quartets, and about 80 symphonies. He also wrote pieces featuring the viola da gamba, an instrument played by the Prince. An interesting anecdote concerning the Prince explains the composition of one of Haydn's symphonies. Upon hearing that the Prince wished to disband his orchestra, Haydn wrote the "Farewell Symphony". During the slow final movement of this symphony, the musicians would walk off the stage one by one, leaving a sole violinst with the conductor. The symbolism of the piece convinced the Prince to keep his orchestra intact. Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy died in 1790. Haydn remained in the employ of the Esterhazy estate under Niklaus' son and heir Paul Anton. Though Haydn was paid an annuity of 1000 florins, and retained the duties of Kapellmeister, he made his new home in Vienna. He also spent much time in London, where he was admired by many musical patrons, including the King of England. Haydn had many influential acquaintances in the music world. One of his closest friends while in Vienna was Mozart. Mozart and Haydn held each other in great mutual esteem. Mozart admired the elder Haydn, and Haydn remarked to Mozart's father that Mozart was "the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name." Haydn also met Beethoven in 1792 and took him as a student. Prince Paul Anton died in in 1794, and was replaced by yet another Nikolaus. Nikolaus resestablished the Haydn orchestra in Eisenstadt, with Haydn as Kapellmeister. In 1802, Haydn was forced by illness to end his association with the Esterhazy family. When Haydn died in 1809, he was buried in Hundsturm Cemetery. A gruesome aside: in 1820, while his remains were being moved for reinterment in a cemetery in Eisenstadt, his skull became seperated from the body. The skull was exhibited under glass in Vienna until 1954, when it was returned to Haydn's grave. More...