Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) was an Austrian composer whose work established the forms of the Classical symphony and string quartet.
Called the "Father of the Symphony," he wrote 104 of them, along with numerous concertos, operas, and masses.
His influence shaped Mozart and Beethoven.
Haydn's "Surprise" Symphony gets its name from a sudden loud chord in the slow movement.
Extended composition for orchestra
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- movementsChanges in position
- adagioSlow musical tempo
- allegroBrisk tempo marking
minuet · finale · timpani · strings · conductor · orchestration · instrumental
1750-1820 musical epoch
- EnlightenmentEra prioritizing reason over dogma
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- fortepianoEarly hammer-action keyboard
minuet · elegance · balance · clarity · form · structure · homophony · 18th century
Four-piece chamber group
- opusNumbered artistic creation
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
- violinBowed string instrument
viola · intimate · conversational · divertimento · trio
Supporter's financial backing
- court composerRoyal household's official musician
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- LondonEngland's capital city
- SalomonOutdoor sports manufacturer
impresario · prolific · commissions · publication · reputation · celebrity · contract · livery
Austrian capital
- HabsburgEuropean imperial dynasty
- SalzburgAustrian city, composer's birthplace
- DanubeMajor Central European river
- MozartEighteenth-century Austrian composer
Viennese · Austrian Empire · Holy Roman Empire · Germanic · Central European · Austro-Hungarian
Unstaged sacred choral work
- MassCatholic worship service
- choralOf group singing
- Salve ReginaLatin hymn to Mary
- religiousOf faith or worship
liturgical · sacred music · Catholic · devotional · cantata
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- witClever, inventive humor
- humorAmusing quality
- inventiveShowing original thought
- experimentalTesting new methods
symphony
Extended composition for orchestra
allegro · minuet · finale · timpani · strings · conductor · orchestration · instrumental
Classical period
1750-1820 musical epoch
- EnlightenmentEra prioritizing reason over dogma
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
fortepiano · minuet · elegance · balance · clarity · form · structure · homophony · 18th century · refined
string quartet
Four-piece chamber group
- opusNumbered artistic creation
- chamber musicSmall-group classical compositions
- celloDeep-voiced bowed instrument
violin · viola · intimate · conversational · divertimento · trio
patronage
Supporter's financial backing
- court composerRoyal household's official musician
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- LondonEngland's capital city
Salomon · impresario · prolific · commissions · publication · reputation · celebrity · contract · livery · servant
Vienna
Austrian capital
- HabsburgEuropean imperial dynasty
- SalzburgAustrian city, composer's birthplace
- DanubeMajor Central European river
Mozart · Viennese · Austrian Empire · Holy Roman Empire · Germanic · Central European · Austro-Hungarian
oratorio
Unstaged sacred choral work
- MassCatholic worship service
- choralOf group singing
- Salve ReginaLatin hymn to Mary
religious · liturgical · sacred music · Catholic · devotional · cantata
surprise
Unexpected event causing astonishment
- Austrian musiciansMozart, Schubert, Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner
- Court Artistscourt painter, Hans Holbein, Titian
Joseph HaydnRichard Wagner
Franz Schubert · Ludwig van Beethoven · Franz Liszt · John Cage · death metal
Joseph HaydnJohn Cage
Prepared piano inventor
free jazz · noise music · avant-garde · atonality · serialism
Joseph HaydnLudwig van Beethoven
Ninth Symphony composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Franz Schubert · Robert Schumann · Vincent van Gogh · Sylvia Plath