Hans joseph haydn biography and works

Joseph Haydn wore the livery uniform of a court servant for most of his career, composing and performing to order. When he was eventually granted a measure of freedom, he became one of the first composers to write for a mass audience.

The result was adulation, and it was richly deserved. Almost single-handedly, Haydn established the formats on which classical music would be based for more than a century. Two titles are regularly bestowed upon him: ‘Father of the Symphony’ and ‘Father of the String Quartet’.

But his influence was equally important on the concerto, the piano sonata and the piano trio.

Joseph haydn biography summary

Haydn was a wheelwright’s son and a natural self-improver. Not only did he make every effort to learn and perfect his musical craftsmanship, he acquired the social skills to be welcome in any company. But he did have to learn those skills.

He spent nine years as a chorister at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna until he was suddenly ejected and left homeless and without income.