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Joseph Haydn. (1732-1809). Haydn’s Early life. Musical background until six years old- Folk songs and peasant dances Age eight- Choirboy in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, dismissed when his voice changed Gave music lessons, taught himself composition, took odd jobs until 1761
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Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
Haydn’s Early life • Musical background until six years old- Folk songs and peasant dances • Age eight- Choirboy in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, dismissed when his voice changed • Gave music lessons, taught himself composition, took odd jobs until 1761 • Hired by the Esterházys, the richest and most powerful of the Hungarian noble families • Composed for the Esterházys for 30 years
Haydn’s Under the Esterhazys’ • Composed for performances in the palaces of the family, including Eszterháza, which had and opera house, a theater, two concert halls, and 126 guest rooms • Hired to compose music, conduct the orchestra, coach singers, oversee instruments and music library • Usually two concerts and operas per week, as well as daily chamber music • Word spread and Haydn became immensely popular
Haydn’s later life • Visited London twice- One from 1791 to 1792 and again from 1794 to 1795 • Composed twelve symphonies for his visited, now called the London Symphonies • Appearances in London were incredibly successful • Given an honorary doctorate from Oxford • Composed six masses and two oratorios in his late sixties • Died in 1809
Haydn’s Works • Composed over 750 pieces and arranged over 300 songs, including: • 104 symphonies • 45 piano trios • 2 oratorios- The Creations and The Seasons • Over 70 String Quartets • 15 operas • 14 operas
Haydn’s Style • Robust and direct style • Much of the music has a folk flavor • Short, simple motifs are used to develop larger forms • Uses “humor” in music- sudden loud chords, false endings, inventive rhythmic section • Generally upbeat pieces
Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat Major, First Movement • Written for the new keyed trumpet, which was not restricted in the notes it could play • Festive and radiant • Theme played by orchestra before being taken up by the trumpet • Evolves into a fanfare-like melody
String Quartet in E-Flat Major, Op. 33 No 2, Movement IV • Nicknamed “The Joke” • In a Rondo form- ABACA • A section is in the tonic and is subdivided into aabaab • B begins in the subdominant (Ab), then moves to F minor, then back to Eb major for the second A • C is new, but does not modulate • What’s the Joke? • Haydn adds progressively longer pauses in the coda, making the audience think the piece is over