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Joseph Haydn, called the father of the symphony, composed the Surprise Symphony and developed sonata-allegro form. He served as Kapellmeister to the Esterhazy family for 30 years. His London symphonies remain a peak of his output. He also wrote about 40 operas and was the first to indicate dynamic markings in music.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Joseph Haydn — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Joseph Haydn by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Joseph Haydn — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
At age six, Joseph Haydn entered a choir as a boy singer, beginning a difficult childhood. After his voice broke, he earned a living by playing dance music and working as a butler. His father Mathias Haydn was a wheelwright. Those early struggles gave Haydn a lasting work ethic that carried him through his career.
In 1761, Haydn became Kapellmeister to Prince Esterhazy in Eisenstadt, a position he held for 30 years. The musicians called him Papa because of his caring nature. After Esterhazy’s death, he moved to Vienna and made two trips to London, where he composed his 12 London Symphonies. He developed sonata-allegro form and wrote the Surprise Symphony No. 94 with its fortissimo chord.
Haydn married Maria Anna Keller on November 26, 1760. The couple had no children, but Haydn fathered an illegitimate son, Alois Anton Nikolaus Polzelli, born April 22, 1783, with soprano Luigia Polzelli. He had two brothers: Michael Haydn, also a composer, and Johann Evangelist Haydn.
Haydn revolutionized symphonic form and earned the title father of the symphony. He was the first composer to indicate dynamic markings in his music. His works include the Farewell Symphony No. 45, the Clock Symphony No. 101, and the Surprise Symphony No. 94. He received honorary citizenship of Vienna.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Joseph Haydn — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
Joseph Haydn's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.
A wall of memorable lines from Joseph Haydn — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
I Was Never a Quick Writer, but Composed with Great Care and Efforts.
There Was No One near to Confuse Me, so I Was Forced to Become Original.
I Was Cut off from the World. There Was No One to Confuse or Torment Me, and I Was Forced to Become Original.
I Listened More Than I Studied… Therefore Little by Little My Knowledge and Ability Were Developed.
Little-known facts about Joseph Haydn — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
Contrary to popular belief, the birthdate March 31, 1732 was a fabrication by his brother Johann Michael Haydn, who did not want his famous sibling to be remembered as an April’s Fool.
Haydn was the first composer to indicate dynamic markings in his music.
He developed sonata-allegro form, which includes exposition, development, recapitulation, and a coda.
Many of his symphonies have appropriate nicknames: the Farewell Symphony hinted to Esterhazy that musicians deserved a vacation; the Clock Symphony suggests a ticking clock; and the Surprise Symphony features a fortissimo chord to make ladies of the court jump.
Haydn wrote some 40 operas, very few of which are performed today.
Though he and his wife Maria Anna Keller had no children, Haydn fathered an illegitimate son, Alois Anton Nikolaus Polzelli, born April 22, 1783, with soprano Luigia Polzelli.
For many years Haydn was mistakenly believed to be the composer of Leopold Mozart’s Toy Symphony.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Joseph Haydn.
Celebrities similar to Joseph Haydn — same craft, ranked by reach.
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