Haydn detailed biography. Franz Joseph Haydn: biography, creativity, interesting facts from life

Name: Joseph HaydnFranz Joseph Haydn

Age: 77 years old

Activity: composer

Family status: widower

Joseph Haydn: biography

Composer Joseph Haydn is not accidentally called the father of the symphony. It was thanks to the genius of the creator that this genre acquired classical perfection and became the basis on which the symphony from.

Among other things, Haydn was the first to create complete samples of other leading genres of the era of classicism - the string quartet and the clavier sonata. He was also the first to write secular oratorios in German. Later, these compositions stood on a par with the greatest achievements of the Baroque era - the English oratorios of George Frideric Handel and the German cantatas.

Childhood and youth

Franz Joseph Haydn was born on March 31, 1732 in the Austrian village of Rorau, bordering Hungary. The composer's father had no musical education, but in his youth he independently mastered playing the harp. Franz's mother was also not indifferent to music. From early childhood, parents discovered that their son had outstanding vocal abilities and excellent hearing. Already at the age of five, Joseph sang loudly with his father, then he mastered the violin perfectly, after which he came to the church choir to perform masses.

From the biography of a representative of the Viennese classical school, it is known that the far-sighted father, as soon as his offspring was six years old, sent his beloved child to a neighboring city to his relative Johann Matthias Frank, the rector of the school. In his institution, the man taught children not only grammar and mathematics, but also gave them singing and violin lessons. There Haydn mastered string and wind instruments, retaining gratitude to his mentor for life.

Diligence, perseverance and a natural sonorous voice helped Joseph become famous in his native land. One day, the Viennese composer Georg von Reuter came to Rorau to select young singers for his chapel. Franz impressed him and Georg took 8-year-old Josef to the choir of Vienna's largest cathedral. There, for a couple of years, Haydn mastered the art of singing, the subtleties of composition, and even composed spiritual songs.

The most difficult period for the composer began in 1749, when he had to earn a living by taking lessons, singing in church choirs and playing string instruments in various ensembles. Despite the difficulties, the young man never lost heart and did not lose his desire to comprehend the new.

Franz spent the money he earned on the lessons of the composer Nicolo Porpora, and when Josef could not pay, the young man accompanied the mentor's young students during classes. Haydn, like a man possessed, studied books on composition and dismantled clavier sonatas, diligently composing music of various genres until late at night.

In 1751, Haydn's opera entitled The Lame Demon was staged in one of the suburban theaters in Vienna; in 1755, the creator produced his first string quartet, and four years later, his first symphony. This genre in the future became the most important in all the composer's work.

Music

The year 1761 was a turning point in the life of the composer: on May 1, he signed a contract with Prince Esterhazy and for thirty years remained the court bandmaster of this aristocratic Hungarian family.

The Esterhazy family lived in Vienna only in winter, and their main residences were in the small town of Eisenstadt, so it is not surprising that Haydn had to change his stay in the capital for a monotonous existence on the estate for six years.

The contract concluded between Franz and Count Esterhazy stated that the composer was obliged to compose pieces that would be required by his lordship. Haydn's early symphonies were written for a relatively small group of musicians at his disposal. After a couple of years of impeccable service, the composer was allowed to include new instruments in the orchestra at his discretion.

The main genre of creativity of the creator of the musical work "Autumn" has always been a symphony. At the turn of the 60-70s, compositions appeared one after another: No. 49 (1768) - “Passion”, No. 44, “Mourning”, and No. 45.

They reflected an emotional response to a new stylistic trend emerging in German literature, called "Sturm und Drang". It is worth noting that during this period children's symphonies also appeared in the repertoire of the creator.

After Josef's fame went beyond the borders of Austria, the composer wrote six symphonies by order of the concert society of Paris, and after fulfilling orders received from the capital of Spain, his works began to be published in Naples and London.

At the same time, the life of a genius was illuminated by friendship with. It should be noted that the relationship of artists has never been overshadowed by rivalry or envy. Mozart claimed that it was from Josef that he first learned how to create string quartets, so he dedicated a couple of pieces to his mentor. Franz himself considered Wolfgang Amadeus the greatest contemporary composer.

After 50 years, Haydn's habitual way of life has changed dramatically. The Creator received freedom, although he continued to be listed among the heirs of Prince Esterhazy as a court bandmaster. The chapel itself was dissolved by the descendants of a noble family, and the composer left for Vienna.

In 1791, Franz was invited on tour to England. The terms of the contract included the creation of six symphonies and their performance in London, as well as the writing of an opera and twenty works in addition. It is known that at that time Haydn was given an orchestra with 40 musicians at his disposal. A year and a half spent in London became triumphant for Josef, and the English tour was no less successful. During the tour, the composer composed 280 works and even became a doctor of music at Oxford University.

Personal life

The popularity acquired in Vienna helped the young musician get a job with Count Morzin. It was for his chapel that Joseph wrote his first five symphonies. It is known that in less than two years of work with Mortsin, the composer managed to improve not only his financial situation, but also tie himself in marriage.

At that time, 28-year-old Josef had tender feelings for the youngest daughter of the court hairdresser, and she, unexpectedly for everyone, went to the monastery. Then Haydn, either in retaliation or for some other reason, married her sister Maria Keller, who was 4 years older than Joseph.

Their family union was not happy. The composer's wife was grumpy and extravagant. Among other things, the young lady did not at all appreciate her husband's talent and often used her husband's manuscripts instead of baking paper. To the surprise of many, family life in the absence of love, children and home comfort lasted 40 years.

Due to the unwillingness to realize himself as a caring husband and the inability to prove himself as a loving father, the composer devoted four decades of his married life to symphonies. During this time, Haydn wrote hundreds of works in this genre, and 90 operas of the talented genius were staged at the Prince Esterhazy Theater.

In the Italian troupe of this theater, the composer found his late love. The young Neapolitan singer Luigia Polcelli enchanted Haydn. Passionately in love, Josef achieved an extension of the contract with her, and also, especially for the charming person, simplified the vocal parts, understanding her capabilities.

True, relations with Luigi did not bring happiness to the creator. The girl was too arrogant and greedy, so even after the death of his wife, Haydn did not dare to marry her. It is worth noting that at the end of his life, in the last version of the will, the composer halved the amount allotted to Polcelli.

Death

In the last decade of his life, influenced by the Handel Festival at Westminster Cathedral, Haydn showed an interest in choral music. The composer created six masses, as well as oratorios (“The Creation of the World” and “The Seasons”).

Haydn died on May 31, 1809 in Vienna, occupied by Napoleonic troops. The French emperor himself, having learned about the death of the eminent Austrian, gave the order to put up a guard of honor at the door of his house. The funeral took place on June 1st.

An interesting fact is that when in 1820 Prince Esterhazy ordered the reburial of Haydn's remains in the church of Eisenstadt, and the coffin was opened, it turned out that there was no skull under the surviving wig (it was stolen to study the features of the structure and protect it from destruction). The skull was reunited with the remains only in the middle of the next century, on June 5, 1954.

Discography

• "Farewell Symphony"
• "Oxford Symphony"
• "Funeral Symphony"
• "World creation"
• "Seasons"
• "Seven Words of the Savior on the Cross"
• "The Return of Tobiah"
• "Pharmacist"
• "Acis and Galatea"
• "Desert Island"
• "Armida"
• "Fisherwomen"
• "Deceived Infidelity"

J. Haydn is rightfully considered the founder of several directions at once: modern orchestra, quartet, symphony and classical instrumental music.

Brief biography of Haydn: childhood

Josef was born in the small Austrian town of Rorau. All his ancestors were artisans and peasants. Joseph's parents were also ordinary people. My father worked in the carriage business. Mother served as a cook. The boy inherited musicality from his father. While still a five-year-old child, he attracted attention, as he had a sonorous voice, excellent hearing and a sense of rhythm. First, he was taken to sing in the church choir in the town of Gainburg, and from there he ended up in the chapel at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. It was a great opportunity for the boy to get a musical education. He stayed there for 9 years, but as soon as his voice began to break, the young man was fired without any ceremony.

J. Haydn. Biography: composer debut

From that moment on, Josef began a completely different life. For eight years he lived by giving music and singing lessons, playing the violin at holidays, and even just on the road. Haydn understood that without education one could not get further. He independently studied theoretical works. Soon fate brought him to the famous comic actor Kurtz. He immediately appreciated Josef's talent and invited him to write music for the libretto, which he composed for the opera The Crooked Demon. The essay has not reached us. But it is known for sure that the opera was a success.

The debut immediately brought the young composer popularity in democratic circles and bad reviews from adherents of the old traditions. Important for the development of Haydn as a musician were classes with Nicola Porpora. The Italian composer reviewed Josef's compositions and gave valuable advice. In the future, the financial situation of the composer improved, new compositions appeared. Significant support was provided to Josef by the landowner Karl Fürnberg, a music lover. He recommended him to Count Morcin. Haydn stayed in his service as a composer and bandmaster for only a year, but at the same time he had free accommodation, food and received a salary. In addition, such a successful period inspired the composer to new compositions.

J. Haydn. Biography: marriage

While serving with Count Morzin, Josef became friends with the hairdresser I.P. Keller and fell in love with his youngest daughter Teresa. But the matter did not come to marriage. For hitherto unknown reasons, the girl left her father's house. Keller suggested that Haydn marry his eldest daughter, and he agreed, which he later regretted more than once.

Joseph was 28 years old, Maria Anna Keller - 32. She turned out to be a very limited woman who did not appreciate her husband's talent at all, moreover, she was too demanding and wasteful. Soon, Joseph had to leave the count for two reasons: he accepted only singles into the chapel, and then, having gone broke, he was forced to dissolve it altogether.

J. Haydn. Biography: service with Prince Esterhazy

The threat of being left without a permanent salary did not hang over the composer for long. Almost immediately, he received an offer from Prince P. A. Esterhazy, the patron of the arts, even richer than before. Haydn spent 30 years as a conductor with him. His duties included managing the singers and the orchestra. He also had to compose symphonies, quartets and other works at the request of the prince. Haydn wrote most of his operas during this period. In total, he composed 104 symphonies, the main value of which lies in the organic reflection of the unity of the physical and spiritual principles in man.

J. Haydn. Biography: trip to England

The composer, whose name became known far beyond the borders of his homeland, has not yet traveled anywhere except Vienna. He could not do this without the permission of the prince, and he did not tolerate the absence of a personal bandmaster. At these moments, Haydn felt his dependence especially sharply. When he was already 60 years old, Prince Esterhazy died, and his son dissolved the chapel. In order for his “servant” to have the opportunity not to enter the service of someone else, he assigned him a pension. Free and happy Haydn went to England. There he gave concerts in which he was a conductor when performing his own works. Absolutely all of them passed with triumph. Haydn became an honorary member of Oxford University. He visited England twice. During this period he composed 12 London Symphonies.

Biography of Haydn: recent years

These works became the pinnacle of his work. After them, nothing significant was written. A stressful life took away his strength. He spent his last years in silence and solitude in a small house located on the outskirts of Vienna. Sometimes he was visited by admirers of talent. J. Haydn died in 1809. He was buried first in Vienna, and later the remains were transferred to Eisenstadt, the city where the composer spent many years of his life.

1. Characteristics of Haydn's creative style.

J. Haydn (1732 - 1809) - an Austrian composer (the town of Rorau near Vienna) - a representative of the Viennese classical school. He contributed to the formation of classical genres - symphony, sonata, instrumental concerto, quartet, as well as sonata form.

It was Haydn who was destined to become the founder of classical symphonism. He finally approved the classical principles of the construction of the sonata-symphony cycle. The sonata-symphony cycle usually consists of 3 or 4 movements. The 3-movement cycle (sonata, concerto) includes a sonata allegro, a slow movement (Adagio, Andante, Largo) and a finale. In the 4-part cycle (symphony, quartet), between the slow part and the finale there is a minuet (Beethoven deviates from this tradition and introduces a scherzo instead of a minuet).

In the work of Haydn, a permanent composition of a string quartet has developed, which has become a characteristic representative of chamber instrumental music: 2 violins, viola, cello.

Haydn also approved the classical - double - composition of the symphony orchestra: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 pipes, a pair of timpani and a string quintet: 2 groups of violins (I and II), violas, cellos and double basses. Occasionally, clarinets appear in Haydn's symphonies. But trombones were first used only by Beethoven.

Haydn wrote music in a wide variety of genres:

104 symphonies;

A huge number of chamber ensembles (83 quartets, trios);

Over 30 concertos for various instruments, incl. and clavier;

Works for solo clavier: 52 sonatas, rondos, variations;

2 oratorios: "The Creation of the World" and "The Seasons";

About 50 songs;

Haydn's creative path turned out to be extremely long. Under Haydn, the activities of Bach and his sons proceeded, under him Gluck carried out his operatic reform, he communicated with Mozart, whom he considered the first composer of the world (in turn, Mozart dedicated 6 quartets to Haydn). During Haydn's lifetime, most of the symphonies of Beethoven were written, who took lessons from him in his youth. Haydn died shortly before the young Schubert began composing his songs. Even in his declining years, the composer was an unusually fresh and cheerful person, full of creative energy and youthful enthusiasm.

Haydn's art is closely associated with the Enlightenment, which is manifested in:

the rational basis of his creativity;

harmony, balance and thoughtfulness of all components of the artistic image;

connection with folklore (one of the main slogans of the German Enlightenment). Haydn's work is a kind of anthology of folklore of different peoples (Austrian, German, Hungarian, Slavic, French). Haydn was born in Austria, not far from Hungary. However, the county was dominated by the Croatian population. For two years, Haydn served in the Czech estate with Count Morcin and for 30 years with the Hungarian prince Esterhazy. All his life he absorbed the musical speech of different peoples. But Haydn was closest to the elements of the Austro-German everyday song and dance music.

optimistic structure of works. Cheerful, energetic, cheerful, Haydn's music instills faith in a person's strength, supports his desire for happiness. In one of his letters, Haydn wrote: “Often, when I struggled with all sorts of obstacles that arose in the way of my work, when the strength of mind and body left me and it was difficult for me not to leave the path on which I stepped, then the innermost feeling whispered me: “There are so few cheerful and contented people on earth, worries and grief lie in wait for them everywhere, perhaps your work will become a source from which a preoccupied and burdened person will draw peace and rest for a few moments.”

Favorite images of Haydnian creativity:

humorous,

folk household. This is not Handel's legendary heroic people, but ordinary people, peasants, the composer's contemporaries (Haydn's father is a rural coachman, his mother is a cook).

2. Symphonies and string quartets.

Symphonies and string quartets are the leading genres in Haydn's work, although the significance of his sonatas, concertos, trios, and oratorios is also great.

Many of Haydn's symphonies and quartets are known by unofficial titles. In some cases, they reflect the onomatopoeic or pictorial aspect of Haydn's themes, in others they recall the circumstances of their creation or first performance.

The following symphonies belong to the I group:

"Hunt", No. 73

"Bear", No. 82

"Chicken", No. 83

"Military", No. 100

"Clock", No. 101;

as well as quartets:

"Bird", op. 33, no. 3

"Frog" op. 6, No. 6

"The Lark", op. 64, No. 5

"Rider", op. 74, no. 3.

Symphonies belong to the second group:

"Teacher", No. 55

"Maria Theresa", No. 48

"Oxford", No. 92 (Haydn performed this symphony when he was awarded the honorary title of Doctor of Music at Oxford University).

In the 80s, the "Parisian" symphonies were written (because they were first performed in Paris). In the 90s, Haydn created the famous "London" symphonies (there are 12 of them, among them - No. 103 "With tremolo timpani", No. 104 "Salomon, or London"). It is noteworthy that Haydn himself gave names to only three early symphonies: "Morning", "Noon", "Evening" (1761).

The vast majority of Haydn's symphonies are bright, optimistic, and in major. Haydn also has "serious", dramatic symphonies - these are minor symphonies of the 1760s - 70s: "Complaint", No. 26; "Funeral", No. 44; Farewell, No. 45; "Suffering", No. 49. This time is marked by quarrels between Haydn and Prince Nikolaus Esterhazy, who was not satisfied with the excessively tragic, in his opinion, tone of Haydn's music. Therefore, Haydn wrote 18 string quartets (op. 9, 17, 20), which he called "Solar Quartets".

Among the early symphonies, the Farewell Symphony (1772) deserves special attention. Instead of 4 parts, it has 5 parts - the last part was introduced additionally with an original purpose: during its performance, according to Haydn's plan, the musicians extinguished the candles in turn, took their instruments and left - first the 1st oboe, the 2nd horn, then - 2nd oboe and 1st horn. The symphony was completed by 2 violinists. There was a legend about its end, now disputed. Prince Esterhazy kept the chapel in his summer residence for a long time and did not give the musicians a vacation. The musicians of the orchestra turned to Haydn with a request to intercede for them before the prince. Haydn then composed this symphony, the finale of which, where the musicians leave in turn, was supposed to be a corresponding hint for the prince.

In the 80s. Haydn created the "Russian" quartets, op. 33 (there are only 6 of them). The name is explained by their dedication to Grand Duke Paul, the future Emperor of Russia, who in the 80s. lived in Vienna. In 1787, 6 more quartets op. 50, dedicated to the King of Prussia (noted by the influence of Mozart).

3. Oratory creativity.

Haydn's top creations also include his oratorios - The Creation of the World, The Seasons. Both of them were written under the influence of Handel's oratorios, which Haydn heard in London. They are based on English literary sources: Milton's poem "Paradise Lost" and Thomson's poem "The Seasons". The plot of the first oratorio is traditionally biblical: a picture of the creation of the world and the life of Adam and Eve in paradise. The Four Seasons is a secular oratorio. The main characters are ordinary people, peasants: the old plowman Simon, his daughter Hanna and the young peasant Luka. In 4 parts of the oratorio, the composer depicts all seasons and compares pictures of nature (summer thunderstorm, winter cold) with pictures of peasant life.

One of the greatest composers of all time is Franz Joseph Haydn. Brilliant musician of Austrian origin. The man who created the foundations of the classical music school, as well as the orchestral and instrumental standard that we observe in our time. In addition to these merits, Franz Josef 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.

Read a brief biography of Joseph Haydn and many interesting facts about the composer on our page.

Short biography of Haydn

Haydn's biography began on March 31, 1732, when little Joseph was born in the fair commune of Rorau (Lower Austria). His father was a wheelwright and his mother worked as a kitchen maid. Thanks to his father, who loved to sing, the future composer became interested in music. Absolute pitch and an excellent sense of rhythm were bestowed on little Josef by nature. These musical abilities allowed the talented boy to sing in the Gainburg church choir. Later, Franz Josef, due to the move, will be admitted to the Vienna Choir Chapel at the Catholic Cathedral of St. Stephen.

Due to stubbornness, sixteen-year-old Josef lost his job - a place in the choir. This happened just at the time of the voice mutation. Now he has no income for existence. Out of desperation, the young man takes on any job. The Italian vocal maestro and composer Nicola Porpora took the youngster as his servant, but Josef found profit in this work as well. The boy delves into musical science and begins to take lessons from a teacher.

Porpora could not fail to notice that Josef had genuine feelings for music, and on this basis, the famous composer decides to offer the young man an interesting job - to become his personal valet companion. Haydn held this position for almost ten years. The maestro paid for his work mainly not with money, he studied music theory and harmony with the young talent for free. So the talented young man learned many important musical fundamentals in different directions. Over time, Haydn's material problems slowly begin to disappear, and his initial compositional works are successfully accepted by the public. At this time, the young composer writes the first symphony.

Despite the fact that in those days it was already considered "too late", Haydn only at the age of 28 decides to start a family with Anna Maria Keller. And this marriage was unsuccessful. According to his wife, Josef did not have a decent profession for a man. Over the course of two decades of living together, the couple did not have children, which also affected the unsuccessfully established family history. With all these troubles, the musical genius has been a faithful husband for 20 years. But an unpredictable life brought Franz Josef together with the young and charming opera singer Luigia Polzelli, who was only 19 years old when they met. Passionate love befell them, and the composer promised to marry her. But the passion faded rather quickly, and he did not keep his promise. Haydn seeks patronage among rich and powerful people. In the early 1760s, the composer got a job as the second bandmaster in the palace of the influential Esterhazy family (Austria). For 30 years, Haydn has been working at the court of this noble dynasty. During this time, he composed a huge number of symphonies - 104.

Haydn did not have many 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 - Josef loses his position. But the name of Franz Joseph Haydn has already thundered not only in Austria, but also in many other countries such as: Russia, England, France. During his time in London, the composer earned almost as much in one year as he did in 20 years as bandmaster for the Esterházy family, his former employers.

The last work of the composer is the oratorio "The Seasons". He composes it with great difficulty, he was hampered by a headache and problems with sleep.

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

Interesting Facts

• It is generally accepted that Joseph Haydn's birthday is March 31st. But, in his certificate, another date was indicated - April 1. According to the composer's diaries, such a minor change was made in order not to celebrate his holiday on "April Fool's Day".
• Little Josef was so talented that at the age of 6 he could play the drums! When the drummer, who was supposed to take part in the Great Week procession, suddenly died, Haydn was asked to replace him. Because the future composer was not tall, due to the peculiarities of his age, then a hunchback walked in front of him, who had a drum tied on his back, and Josef could calmly play the instrument. The rare drum still exists today. It is located in the Hainburg Church.
• The young Haydn's singing voice was so impressive that he was asked to join the choir school at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna when the boy was only five years old.
• The choirmaster of St. Stephen's Cathedral suggested that Haydn be subjected to a certain operation to prevent the breakage of his voice, but fortunately the father of the future composer stepped in and prevented this.
• When the composer's mother died at the age of 47, his father quickly married a young maid, who was 19 years old. The difference between the age of Haydn and the stepmother was only 3 years, and the "son" turned out to be older.

• Haydn loved a girl who for some reason decided that life in a monastery was better than family life. Then the musical genius called the elder sister of his beloved, Anna Maria, to marry. But this thoughtless decision did not lead to anything good. The wife turned out to be grumpy, and not understanding her husband's musical hobbies. Haydn wrote that Anna Maria used his music manuscripts as kitchen utensils.
• In the biography of Haydn there is an interesting legend about the name of the String Quartet f-moll "Razor". One morning, Haydn was shaving with a dull razor, and when his patience snapped, he shouted that if he were given a normal razor now, he would give his wonderful work for this. At that moment, John Blend was nearby, a man who wanted to publish the composer's manuscripts, which no one had yet seen. After hearing this, the publisher did not hesitate to hand over their English steel razors to the composer. Haydn kept his word and presented the new work to the guest. Thus, the String Quartet received such an unusual name.
• It is known that Haydn had a very strong friendship with Mozart. Mozart greatly respected and revered his friend. And if Haydn criticized the work of Amadeus or gave any advice, Mozart always listened, Joseph's opinion for the young composer was always in the first place. Despite the peculiar temperaments and age difference, the friends had no quarrels and disagreements.
• "Miracle" - this is the name attributed to symphonies No. 96 in D-dur and No. 102 in B-dur. All this is due to one story that happened after the concert of this work ended. People rushed to the stage to thank the composer and bow before him for the most beautiful music. As soon as the listeners were in the front of the hall, a chandelier fell behind them with a crash. There were no casualties - and it was a miracle. Opinions differ on the premiere of which particular symphony this amazing incident occurred.
• The composer suffered for more than half his life with polyps in his nose. This became known to the surgeon, and part-time Josef's good friend John Henter. The doctor recommended to come to him for an operation, which Haydn first decided on. But, when he came to the office where the operation was to take place and saw 4 large assistant surgeons, whose task was to hold the patient during the painful procedure, the brilliant musician was frightened, pulled out and shouted loudly. In general, the idea of ​​getting rid of polyps has sunk into oblivion. As a child, Josef suffered from smallpox.

• Haydn has a Symphony with timpani beats, or it is also called "Surprise". The history of the creation of this symphony is interesting. Josef periodically toured London with the orchestra, and one day he noticed how some of the audience fell asleep during the concert or were already having beautiful dreams. Haydn suggested that this happens because the British intelligentsia are not used to listening to classical music and have no special feelings for art, but the British are a people of traditions, so they always attended concerts. The composer, the soul of the company and the merry fellow, decided to act cunningly. After a short thought, he wrote a special symphony for the English public. The work began with quiet, smooth, almost lulling melodic sounds. Suddenly, in the process of sounding, a drum beat and thunder of timpani were heard. Such a surprise was repeated in the work more than once. Thus, Londoners no longer fell asleep in concert halls where Haydn conducted.
• When the composer died, he was buried in Vienna. But later it was decided to rebury the remains of the genius of music in Eisenstadt. When opening the grave, it was discovered that Josef's skull was missing. It was a trick of two friends of the composer who took their own head by bribing people in the cemetery. For almost 60 years (1895-1954), the skull of the Viennese classic was located in the museum (Vienna). It wasn't until 1954 that the remains were reunited and buried together.

• Mozart was delighted with Haydn and often invited him to his concerts, and Joseph reciprocated the young child prodigy and often played with him in a quartet. It is noteworthy that at the funeral of Haydn sounded "Requiem" by Mozart who died 18 years before his friend and teacher.
• A portrait of Haydn can be found on the German and Soviet postage stamps issued in 1959 on the 150th anniversary of the composer's death, and on the Austrian 5 euro coin.
• The German anthem and the old Austro-Hengen anthem owe their music to Haydn. After all, it was his music that became the basis of these patriotic songs.

Films about Joseph Haydn

Based on Haydn's biography, many informative documentaries have been shot. All these films are interesting and captivating. Some of them tell more about the composer's musical achievements and discoveries, while others tell various facts from the personal life of the Viennese classic. If you have a desire to get to know this musical figure better, then we bring to your attention a small list of documentaries:

• Film company "Academy media" filmed a 25-minute documentary film "Haydn" from the series "Famous Composers".
• In the vastness of the Internet you can find two interesting films "In Search of Haydn". The first part lasts a little over 53 minutes, the second 50 minutes.
• Haydn is described in some episodes from the documentary section "History by Notes". From episodes 19 to 25, each of which lasts less than 10 minutes, you can explore interesting biographical data of the great composer.
• There is a short documentary from Encyclopedia Chanel about Joseph Haydn that is only 12 minutes long.
• An interesting 11-minute film about Haydn's perfect pitch can also be easily found on the Internet "Perfect pitch - Franz Joseph Haydn".

• In Gaia Ritchie's 2009 Sherlock Holmes, the Adagio from String Quartet No. 3 in D-dur is heard during the scene, where Watson and his fiancée Mary dine with Holmes at a restaurant called The Royal.
• The 3rd movement of the cello concerto is used in the 1998 English film Hilary and Jackie.
• The Piano Concerto is featured in Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can.
• The minuet from the 33rd sonata is inserted into the musical accompaniment of the film "The Runaway Bride" (a continuation of the famous film "Pretty Woman").
• Adagio e cantibile from Sonata No. 59 is used in The Vampire Diaries 1994 starring Brad Pitt.
• Sounds of the string quartet B-dur "Sunrise" are heard in the horror film "Relic" in 1997.
• In the magnificent film "The Pianist", which received 3 Oscars, Haydn's quartet No. 5 sounds.
• Also, string quartet #5 comes from the music for the 1998 films Star Trek: Uprising and Fort
• Symphonies #101 and #104 can be found in the 1991 film "Lord of the Tides".
• The 33rd string quartet is used in the 1997 comedy George of the Jungle.
• The third part of string quartet No. 76 "Emperor" can be found in the films "Casablanca" 1941, "Bullworth" 1998, "Cheap Detective" 1978, and "The Dirty Dozen".
• The Trumpet Concerto is featured in "The Big Deal" with Mark Wahlberg.
• In Bicentennial Man, based on the book of the brilliant science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, you can hear Haydn's symphony No. 73 "The Hunt".

Haydn House Museum

In 1889, the Haydn Museum was opened in Vienna, which is located in the composer's house. For 4 whole years, Josef slowly built his "corner" from the money earned during the tour. Initially, there was a low house, which, at the behest of the composer, was rebuilt by adding floors. The second floor was the residence of the musician himself, and below he settled his assistant Elsper, who copied the notes of Haydn.

Almost all exhibits in the museum are the personal property of the composer during his lifetime. Handwritten notes, painted portraits, the instrument that Haydn worked on, and other interesting things. It is unusual that the building has a small room designed Johannes Brahms . Johannes greatly respected and honored the work of the Viennese classic. This hall is filled with his personal belongings, furniture and tools.

Joseph Haydn's brief biography for children and adults is set out in this article.

Joseph Haydn short biography

Franz Joseph Haydn- Austrian composer, representative of the Viennese classical school, one of the founders of the symphony and the string quartet.

Born March 31, 1732 in the small town of Rorau, Lower Austria, in the family of a carriage master. The love of music was instilled in Josef by his father, who was fond of vocals. The boy had excellent hearing and a sense of rhythm, and thanks to these abilities, he was accepted into the church choir in the small town of Gainburg. Later he will move to Vienna, where he will sing in the choir at the Cathedral of St. Stephen.

Haydn had a wayward character, and at the age of 16 he was expelled from the choir - at a time when his voice began to break. He is left without a livelihood. In such a hopeless situation, the young man takes on various jobs (he works as a servant for Nikolai Porpora).

Seeing the young man's love for music, Porpora offers him the position of companion valet. He has held this position for about ten years. As payment for his work, Haydn receives lessons in musical theory, from which he learns a lot about music and composition. Gradually, the financial situation of the young man improves, and musical works are crowned with success. Haydn is looking for a rich patron, which becomes the imperial prince Pal Antal Esterhazy. Already in 1759, the young genius composed his first symphonies.

Haydn married at the age of 28, Anna Maria Kller. Anna Maria often showed disrespect for her husband's profession. They had no children, but he was faithful to his wife for 20 years. But after so many years, he suddenly fell in love with 19-year-old Luigia Polzelli, an Italian opera singer, and even promised to marry her, but soon this passionate affection passed.

In 1761, Haydn became the second Kapellmeister at the court of the Esterhazy princes, one of the most influential families in Austria. For a rather long career at the court of Esterhazy, he composed a huge number of operas, quartets and symphonies (104 in total). He becomes famous not only in his homeland, but also in England, France, Russia. In 1781, Haydn met Mozart, who became his close friend. In 1792 he met the young Beethoven and took him on as a student.