Composer - Haydn - p. 53-54 Flashcards
Haydn was born in ________(year)_ and he died in ______(year).
Haydn was born in 1732 and died in 1809.
Haydn was born in which city, country?
Haydn was born in Rohrua, Austria.
Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria. Who else was born in Austria in the Classical era?
Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria. Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria.
What were Haydn’s famiy members’ jobs?
Haydn’s
- father - wheelwright
- mother - cook
- brothers Michael and Johann - musicians.
Describe Haydn’s childhood talent/education and name his music teacher.
Haydn’s music talent was known early so he was recruited as a choirboy at St. Stephen’s Catherdral, Vienna.
He was edcated at St. Stephen’s but also self-taught.
Haydn considered Nicolo Porpora (Itlaian singer/composer) to be his only teacher.
Describe Haydn’s career before he found a job as Kapellmeister to Count Ferdinand vonMorzin?
After Haydn’s voice changed, he was dismissed from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In order to make a living, he became a freelance musician. He composed, performed, taught, accompanied until his was noticed by potential patrons and eventaully became a music director to Count Ferdinand.
Describe Haydn’s first patron and Haydn’s duties at that time.
Haydn was 27 years old when he became a music director (Kapellmeister) to count Ferdinand von Morzin. Haydn was responsible for conducting, composing and performing. He composed his first symphony during this time.
Haydn stayed at this job for two years.
Who was Haydn’s second patron and for how long? Name three princes whom he worked for and the duties he had with each of them.
Haydn’s second patron was the Esterhazy family. He worked for that family almost 30 years. He started as an assistant music director when he was 29 (1761), became the Kapellmeister when he was 34 years old (1766).
Prince Nikolai - training instrumentalists, conducting, composing, and perofrming chamber music; supplied all music for the court opera house, theater, and chapel. Prince Nikolai was a music lover - was initially into baryton and then later operas so Haydn composed lots of music for the almost extinct instruments and many operas.
Prince Anton - not a music lover. 1759. Paid Haydn a smaller salary and all Haydn had to do was composing an annaul mass.
Prince Anton II - Haydn composed six mass and more string quartets during this period
Describe Hayn’s relationship with Beethoven and Mozart.
Haydn met Mozart when Haydn was ~51 years old and Mozart was ~27. Despite of their age difference, they became friends and dedicated works to each other.
Haydn met Beethoven in 1792 and taught him briefly. Haydn was around 60 years old and Beethoven was 22 yeas old.
Who was Haydn’s wife and when did they get married?
Haydn married Maria Anna Keller in 1760, when he was 28 years old.
Describe Haydn’s career outside of Esterhazy.
Haydn’s gradually became more famous outside of Esterhazy family. He published many works and received commissions from other sources, such as “Paris” Symphonies.
When Haydn was 58 years old, Prince Anton succeeded Prince Nikolas. Prince Anton was not a music lover so he still paid Haydn but only asked him to write an annual mass.
In the same year (1790), Haydn went to London for first time. Haydn’s music was already popular and concert promoter Johann Salomon hired Haydn to compose and conducte first six of his twelve ‘London” symphonies. The public liked the symphonies.
Haydn went back to London in 1794 when he was 62 years old and conducted the last six of his twelve “London” symphonies. They were well liked and brough finaical success to Haydn.
What were Haydn last compositions before retirement?
Haydn compose The Creations and The Seasons (both oratorios), six masses for Prince Nicholas II (Anton’s successor), and more string quartets.
What year and what was the reason for Haydn’s retirement?
Haydn retired in 1802 due to failing health.
When was Haydn’s last public appearance and what was the performance?
Haydn’s public appearance was in 1808 at the performance of The Creation.
What year did Haydn died and how old was he? What was played in his memorial service?
Haydn died in 1809 when he was 77 years old. Mozart’s requiem was performed at his memorial service.
