Austrian composer, “father” of the symphony and quartet. His compositional heritage includes over 100 symphonies, more than 80 quartets, more than 50 sonatas written for clavier, more than 30 operas, oratorios and many musical works of other genres.

Haydn was born near Austrian capital Vienna in the village of Rohrau in 1732. His parents were not rich people; they did not have money for their children’s education. Meanwhile, the family had many children. Is it a joke? Seventeen children!!! Haydn inherited his musical talent from his father, who, without music education, played the harp and sang beautifully. At the same time, the father did not know the notes at all. Franz Haydn, who was fascinated by music, decided to become a singer in a church choir. He was then only eight years old.

The talented boy was noticed. The choir director told the parents that the boy must be sent to Vienna because he had good voice and outstanding musical abilities. The parents allowed the trip without thinking that when the boy’s voice began to break, he would find himself completely useless and alone in the world. big city. And so it happened. The boy was asked to leave the church chapel. He was simply put out on the street. However, Haydn became outstanding composer. He got a job with the composer Nicolo Porpora. The work was not related to music: Haydn was a servant, cleaning clothes and shoes. For this the old composer gave Haydn useful tips in music.

Abilities and perseverance have borne fruit. Haydn in 1759 became bandmaster for the Czech Count Morcin, and later for the Hungarian rich man Prince Esterhazy. The job of the conductor was not only to lead the chapel. Haydn's duties included teaching musicians. Haydn had to monitor the safety of the chapel's inventory, and at the same time the prince demanded that he compose symphonies, quartets and operas. It took a very long time to compose musical works. a short time: Haydn was often given only one day for this. This is how Haydn worked for thirty long years. Moreover, all the composer’s works were the property of the insatiable Prince Nicholas Esterhazy the Magnificent. After the death of the prince, the rights to Haydn’s works began to belong to his heirs, who did not understand anything about music, but did not give up the manuscripts, having lost some of them.

But such work as a bandmaster also had its own challenges for the composer. positive sides: Haydn constantly listened to his works performed by the orchestra entrusted to him and brought them to perfection. Haydn was given the nickname "Dad". Even the great Mozart called him that, who considered Haydn his mentor.

Haydn was a cheerful, cheerful person and a great joker. And he composed the same music: cheerful, light, playful. He even composed a symphony for children's whistles, drums, trumpets, tricorns and rattles. But he was also a master of soulful lyrical compositions. One day Prince Esterhazy did not leave his palace in the fall. Haydn gave an amazing concert, which helped the prince understand that the musicians of his chapel needed rest. The orchestra played lyrical music. At the same time, the musicians at one point began to take turns getting up from their seats, extinguishing the candles and leaving the hall. The prince was touched. He took the hint and sent the orchestra to rest.

After the death of the prince, his heir disbanded the musicians, but Haydn asked to stay, giving him a pension. During this period of his life, the composer wrote many brilliant works. Among them are the oratorios “The Creation of the World” and “The Seasons”. Haydn visited England twice, where he conducted an orchestra that performed his works. At one of these concerts, the audience stood up from their seats and came closer to the stage to look at the outstanding Austrian composer. And suddenly a huge heavy chandelier fell onto the place where they were sitting. The audience was saved thanks to the genius of Haydn.

While walking around London, Haydn went into a shop that sold sheet music and asked the merchant to recommend some good ones. musical compositions. The merchant, who did not know that the great Haydn himself was in front of him, gave the composer his own works. Haydn said that he did not need these notes and asked for something else. The seller, disappointed in the buyer's taste, refused to sell him notes at all. But when an acquaintance called Haydn by name, the seller realized that he was facing a genius.

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

In the early spring of 1739, the small Austrian town of Hainburg was visited by the conductor of the Vienna Cathedral of St. Stefan G. Reiter, who was looking for musically gifted children for his choir. The local priest drew the capital's guest's attention to seven-year-old Joseph Haydn, the son of a cook and carriage maker from Rohrau (Lower Austria). The little singer’s wonderful voice and extraordinary musical abilities captivated Reiter. He enrolled him in his chapel and promised his parents to take care of him. future fate boy. And he “took care”: during the 10 years Haydn spent in the chapel (1740 - 1749), he gave him only two lessons in composition. When Haydn turned 17 and lost his voice, the bandmaster threw the young man out into the street.

For a long time, Haydn wandered along the roads of Austria. The famous comedian Kurtz drew attention to the wandering musician, with whom Haydn created a novel for that time comic opera(zing-spiel) “The lame demon.”

“The Lame Demon” gave Haydn short-lived fame and 25 guilders, which were soon spent. Haydn was forced to look for new income and found a place as an accompanist for the famous Italian composer N. Porpora. Porpora very soon appreciated Haydn's musical abilities and began to study composition with him.

Joseph Haydn.

An unexpected stroke of luck allowed Haydn to begin independent life. A certain businessman Buchholz lent the young man 150 guilders. Haydn rented a miserable attic under the roof of a six-story building in Vienna. The aspiring composer sat for days at the clavier and proudly said: “I do not envy the happiness of any king!”

In 1759, Haydn entered the service of Count Morcin, and two years later, for a long 30 years, he entered the service of the richest Hungarian princes Esterhazy.

The service of conductor and court composer was difficult. The contract deprived him of the right to leave the prince's possessions; his works also belonged to the princely family. His duties included not only conducting the orchestra and composing music. He was responsible for the safety musical instruments and music, made sure that the musicians were dressed cleanly and in uniform, and was responsible for all problems in the chapel. Haydn called himself a serf servant, which he essentially was.

Only after leaving his service with Esterhazy did Haydn gain true freedom. He moved to Vienna, met with friends, made two trips to England, wrote a lot, and revised what he had previously written. Haydn's works were published in Paris, Amsterdam, and London. His concerts, like a holiday, were awaited in all European cities. In 1791, Haydn was awarded an honorary doctorate from Oxford University, he became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, an honorary citizen of Vienna, and an honorary member of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Society.

Over 53 years of creativity (his first serious composition, the Mass in F major, dates back to 1750, the last quartet was written by Haydn in 1803), he created about a thousand musical works of various genres: 104 symphonies, 83 string quartets, 24 operas, 3 oratorios, 41 piano and 21 string trios, 52 piano sonatas and much, much more: songs, variations, fantasies, marches, dances.

Haydn - one of the founders of the Viennese classical school(see articles “Classical music XVII- XVIII centuries", " Music genres"). He completed the formation symphony orchestra, establishing its classical composition, the strict laws of which are still binding today. He brought quartet music to complete perfection, ensuring that all instruments (two violins, alas and cello) became equal participants in this still popular ensemble.

Haydn had a lively mind, inexhaustible humor and a penchant for a good joke. There was a lot of witty invention in his symphonies. Either he will depict the dance of a clumsy bear, or the clucking of a chicken (later these symphonies were called “Bear”, “Chicken”). One day Haydn was returning from hunting and on the way he came to a fair. Noticing with what greed the barefoot children were looking at the toy seller's basket, he bought clay owls, cuckoos, whistles, pipes and drums and distributed them to the children. The happy ragamuffins began blowing, whistling and drumming with delight. And Haydn listened to this hubbub with a smile and soon wrote the original, charming “Children’s Symphony” (1794).

No less original is one of Haydn’s London symphonies - “With a Timpani Strike, or Surprise” (1791). Haydn was especially pleased with the slow movement, the andante. But the prim Englishmen found the music boring and drowsy. Then Haydn went and changed something in the score. At the next concert, he asked the musicians to play the andante more and more quietly. And suddenly, in the middle of the movement, a thunderous clap of timpani was heard, causing those who were pretending to be dozing to jump in their seats.

And the story of the creation of the “Farewell Symphony” (“Symphonies by Candlelight”, 1772)?.. Prince Esterhazy did not allow the musicians to rest for a long time. Exhausted by waiting, the choir members fell into despair. Then Haydn wrote a symphony, where, after the usual four movements, the fifth began... The musicians, one after another, left their seats and, extinguishing the candles on the consoles, left. Finally, only two violinists remained in the orchestra, one of them was Haydn himself. Having finished playing the tremulous melody, as if begging for something, they left. The stage remained plunged into darkness. Prince Esterhazy understood Haydn's hint and dismissed the chapel for rest.

Despite the many hardships of life, Haydn always remained a sociable, cheerful,

What is Haydn's "surprise"? and got the best answer

Answer from STRANGER[guru]
It's about how once the composer J. Haydn decided to take revenge on the public dozing at concerts. He composed the symphony "Surprise". The second title of the symphony is “With Timpani Beats.” When the audience, lulled by the smooth and quiet music, fell asleep, a terrible roar was suddenly heard.

Answer from Lela Ch.[guru]
Symphony No. 94, G major, "Surprise" is the second of the symphonies Haydn wrote in London.
“Surprise” received its name because of the loud timpani beats heard in the slow second movement.

Answer from Inga[active]
What kind of surprise are we talking about? If we talk about the symphony with timpani, then it was written for those who liked to sleep while performing his music.
And with the timpani he woke up the nobles. This is the surprise.

Answer from Victoria Shapovalova[guru]

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) - a great Austrian composer, a representative of the Viennese classical school, one of the founders of such musical genres as the symphony and string quartet.
He completed the formation of the symphony orchestra, establishing its classical composition, the strict laws of which are binding to this day. He brought quartet music to complete perfection, ensuring that two violins, viola and cello became equal members of this still popular ensemble. Haydn had a lively mind, inexhaustible humor and a penchant for a good joke. There was a lot of witty invention in his symphonies. Either he will depict the dance of a clumsy bear, or the clucking of a hen (later these symphonies received the names “Bear”, “Chicken”). One day, Haydn was returning from a hunt and on the way he ended up at a fair. Noticing how greedily the barefoot children were looking at the toy seller’s basket, he bought clay owls, cuckoos, whistles, pipes and drums and distributed them to the children. The happy ragamuffins began blowing, whistling and drumming with delight. And Haydn listened to this hubbub with a smile and soon wrote the original, charming “Children’s Symphony” (1794).
No less original is one of Haydn’s London symphonies - “With a Timpani Strike, or Surprise” (1791). Haydn was especially pleased with the slow movement, the andante. But the prim Englishmen found the music boring and drowsy. Then Haydn went and changed something in the score. At the next concert, he asked the musicians to play the andante more and more quietly. And suddenly, in the middle of the movement, a thunderous clap of timpani was heard, causing those who were pretending to be dozing to jump in their seats.

Answer from 3 answers[guru]

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What is Haydn’s “surprise”?

Help me please! I can't find it anywhere. What is the history of the creation and plot of Adolphe William Bouguereau's painting "Mercy"
Bouguereau, Adolphe William (1825-1905) "Charity". 1878.
Oil on canvas, 196 x 117 cm,

J. Haydn “Farewell Symphony”

An amazing legend is associated with J. Haydn’s “Farewell Symphony”. Even more surprising is the impression this work makes on listeners who did not expect such an unusual ending. What is the secret of Symphony No. 45 Joseph Haydn and why is it called “Farewell”? The beautiful and understandable music of the Great Viennese classic, which fascinates and captivates from the first bars, will appeal to everyone, and its creation story will leave a mark on the listener’s heart for a long time.

History of creation Symphonies No. 45 Haydn, entitled “Farewell”, content and many interesting facts Read about the work on our page.

The history of the creation of the “Farewell Symphony”

Just imagine that you find yourself in such a difficult situation: your employer is keeping you at work for longer than expected and does not understand any hints that you want to go home. Nowadays, this is impossible to imagine, but several centuries ago it was easily possible. The great Austrian composer and his musicians found themselves in such an unpleasant situation.

Of course, the first thought that will arise in anyone’s mind is who could hold such a composer, whose name has glorified his country throughout the world? Unfortunately, in Haydn’s time, musicians had a dependent position and, despite their fame, they were listed as servants in the palaces of noble persons. So Prince Esterhazy, for whom the composer served for about 30 years, treated him as a servant.

The great Viennese classic was forbidden to travel outside the palace without consent, and all the masterpieces written during this time belonged only to the prince. J. Haydn's responsibilities were limitless, he had to lead the chapel at the palace, perform music at the whim of the prince, train orchestra members, be responsible for all musical materials and instruments, and, finally, write symphonies and operas at the request of N. Esterhazy. Sometimes, he gave only one day to compose another masterpiece! But there were also advantages for the musician in all this. He could listen to his masterpieces live at any time and hone them, like a master working on precious stone. But sometimes there were situations when Haydn was forced to use all his talent and ingenuity to help himself and his musicians.

One day, Prince Esterhazy prolonged his stay in the summer palace for too long. With the arrival of cold weather, the musicians began to get sick, and the marshy area was to blame. They suffered greatly from endless illnesses, and most importantly, from long separation from their families, because they were forbidden to see them in the summer, and the orchestra members did not have the right to leave the service. But Haydn figured out how to get out of this difficult situation - he wrote a special work called “”. Just imagine, Prince Esterhazy and his guests gathered in the hall to listen to another masterpiece of the great maestro, but instead of the usual fun music he was presented with sad and slow music. The first, second, third and fourth parts have passed, it would seem that now there will be a finale, but no! The fifth movement begins and then one by one the musicians get up, extinguish the candles on the music stands and silently leave the hall. The reaction of listeners can be predicted. So, only two violinists remain on stage, the part of one of them is played by Haydn himself, and their melody becomes more and more sad until it dies down completely. The remaining musicians also leave the stage in the dark. Prince Esterhazy understood his bandmaster’s hint and ordered everyone to get ready to move to Eisenstadt.

Interesting Facts

• The unusualness of Haydn's Symphony No. 45 is also due to the choice of tonal plan. F-sharp minor was very rarely used in those days by composers and musicians. It was also rare to find the eponymous major, in which the finale of the symphony sounds.
• The additional adagio heard at the end of the work is sometimes called the fifth movement of the cycle. However, there are real five-part cycles in his work - this is the “Noon” symphony. Haydn also composed three-part works, but this was only at the beginning of his creative career.
• Some of Haydn's symphonies are programmatic. So, he has symphonic cycles called “Bear” and “Chicken”. In the Surprise symphony, a sudden blow is heard in the middle movement, after which the music continues again quite calmly and leisurely. It is believed that with such a trick Haydn decided to “stir up” the too prim English public a little.
• Serving in the chapel of Prince Esterhazy, Haydn was forced to dress strictly according to the established pattern. Thus, the contract stipulated a special uniform.
• According to the memoirs of many contemporaries, in 1799, after the premiere of the “Farewell Symphony” in Leipzig, after the finale the audience left the hall silent and moved, which was very unusual at that time. The work made such a strong impression on them.
• Few people know, but there are other versions of why Haydn’s Symphony No. 45 is called “Farewell”. There is a legend that Prince Esterhazy planned to dissolve the entire chapel, which would leave the musicians without funds. Another version indicates that this work symbolizes farewell to life. This assumption was put forward by researchers in the 19th century. It is noteworthy that there is no title at all in the manuscript itself.

• Currently, the Farewell Symphony is performed as Haydn intended it. In the finale, the musicians leave their seats one by one. Sometimes the conductor himself leaves the stage.
• In fact, only a small part of Haydn’s symphonies has its own program: “Morning”, “Noon”, “Evening”. It was these works that the composer himself gave the name to. The remaining names belong to the listeners and express general character symphonies or orchestration features. It is noteworthy that Haydn himself preferred not to comment on the figurative content of the works.
• It is noteworthy that in the period 60-70s Haydn appeared in a number of minor symphonies: No. 39, 44, 45, 49.

The symphony begins immediately with main party, without any introduction and is pathetic in nature. In general, all First part maintained in the same spirit. The danceable and even quite graceful features of the main part set the general mood of the part. The dynamic reprise only reinforces this image.

Sophisticated and bright The second part mainly performed string group(quartet). The themes are presented in a very subdued manner, the violins perform parts with mutes on pianissimo. In the reprise, Haydn uses the famous “golden move” horn ", which decorates the main party.

The third part- This minuet , but Haydn made it very unusual by juxtaposing two effects: the melody played by the violins on the piano and the sound of the entire orchestra on the forte. This movement also features the “golden horn move” that the composer used in the trio. At the end of the minuet a minor suddenly appears. This is no coincidence, because with this technique Haydn anticipates the general mood of the finale.

Fourth part at first it echoes the first, its graceful theme. The gloomy atmosphere appears only in the reprise, which suddenly ends, and right at the rise. After a short pause, an adagio with variations sounds. The theme itself is presented quite serenely, the feeling of anxiety begins to grow as soon as the sonority fades. The instruments fall silent one by one, having finished playing their part. The first to leave the orchestra are the musicians who play the winds, after which the basses and Joseph Haydn "Farewell Symphony"