Joseph Haydn Accomplishments

The Classical Period birth an abundant of creativity and musical excellence that is still studied and admired in today’s society. The musical artist that emerged from this period possesses a distinct sound and appeal like no other. Various musicians graced their musical talents and outlook with the world, contributing different elements that aided in making the Classical Period renown. One of these artists was Joseph Haydn. Known as “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the Sting Quartet,” Hayden left a commodious musical impact on the world that causes him to be one of the most renown musicians of all time. Joseph Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria, on March 31, 1732 to Mattias Haydn, a wheelwright, and Maria, a cook. Both of his parents
played an important role in the development of his love and passion for music. Besides being a wheelwright, his father was also a folk musician who taught himself to play the harp. At an early age, Joseph started displaying a talent for music, so his parents sent him to live with their relative, Johann Mattias Frankh, the schoolmaster and choirmaster in Hainburg. Frankh promised to train and nurture Joseph’s musical abilities. During his young, he learned how to play a multitude of instruments and received a good basic music foundation. His talents caused him to get recognition from the musical director of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Georg von Reutter, located in Vienna. Thus, von Reutter invited Haydn to serve as a chorister. In 1740, Joseph moved to Vienna and stayed at the choir school for nine years and received an abundance of practical knowledge through performing but was still naïve in the area of musical theory. After Haydn’s voice broke, in 1749, he could no longer sing high choral parts and was expelled from the cathedral choir and choir school. After being expelled from the cathedral and choir school, Joseph became jobless and worked several jobs including a music teacher and a street serenade. Because of his lack of training in music theory, he attended to self-educate himself by studying works of prominent composers and practicing exercises given by the manual. It was not until, Italian composer and singing teacher, Nicola Porpora, accepted him as a valet-accompanist, that he gained the true fundamentals of composition. Over time, his skills developed and he soon began writing music along with playing instruments. The rising young Haydn, gained much stature over the years and was appointed as a musical director and chamber composer for the Bohemian count, Ferdinand Maximillian von Morzin, in 1758. Through this position, he was lead over a 16-musician orchestra. However, one of his most prominent careers was working for Prince Paul Anton, head of the wealthy Esterhazy family. Haydn was assigned the title of Vice-Kapellmeister, and soon afterwards, full Kapellmeister. Haydn worked for the family for three decades and was highly successful. During his time of occupation, he composed operas, symphonies, string quartets, and other chamber music, and some of his most prominent pieces include “Trumpet Concerto,” “Missa in Augustiis,” Haydn: The Creation,” and Symphony No. 45.” Overall, Joseph Haydn was a wonder musician and composer that aided in changing the world of music. His drive and determination to elevate his career and music caused him to receive world-wide fame and extremely successful. Through his talents, hard work, and dedication, Haydn was able to bring his dreams and passions to live and the Classical Period with works that will forever be known.