Indeed, he was fully and ably in command of his compositional powers he was even ready to learn some new tricks. Though he was 61 at the time of its writing, Haydn was hardly an old dog. 99, the first of the second set of “London” symphonies it was premiered in London at the King’s Theatre in 1794. Upon his return to Vienna in 1793, just two years after the death of Mozart, Haydn wrote his Symphony No. These symphonies, all written between 1791-1795, are among the most skillfully rendered, refined, and popular works in the composer’s catalogue. Though the opera he created, Orfeo ed Euridice, was never performed in his lifetime (not until 1951, in fact), the symphonies were a huge success, resulting in his re-engagement for a half dozen more. Nearing 60, already well-known throughout the Western world, and emancipated by the death of Prince Pál Antal Esterházy from his 28-year position as court composer and Kapellmeister at Esterháza (also known as the “Hungarian Versailles”), Haydn accepted an offer – and an ample fee – from Johann Peter Salomon to compose an opera, half dozen symphonies, and numerous other works to be premiered in London and conducted by the composer. ![]() ![]() Had he not lived to the ripe old age of 77 (in a time when someone over 40 was already beyond average life expectancy!), the symphony in particular might not have the stature in classical music that it now enjoys. To say his contributions were significant would be to understate his importance: his contributions were essential to Western music as we know it. ![]() Haydn (1732-1809) also became one of the first truly international music personalities in early modern history, and helped to establish a thriving concert-going environment that was separate from the church. He helped to establish the symphony and the string quartet as two of the primary forms of expression for composers he created over 100 symphonies and nearly as many string quartets. Franz Joseph Haydn’s abundant catalogue of compositions is a cornerstone of what is called the “standard repertory,” a body of works which tend to be performed on a fairly regular basis by orchestras around the world.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |