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(Franz) Joseph HAYDN

31 March 1732 - 31 May 1809 (age 77)

portrait of Haydn

Austrian composer. So called "Father of the Symphony" and also "Father of the string quartet". Haydn was an important influence on Mozart, Beethoven and many more.

Personality

A small man with dark, pock marked skin, an ugly big nose, a jutting chin and protruding lower lip. Not a pretty sight - yet he was admired and pursued by women.
He had a great sense of humour and was a cheerful soul with a warm heart. He once wrote of himself "As God has given me a cheerful heart, He will forgive me for serving Him cheerfully."
He was a very hard worker and very methodical. Every day was full with concerts and rehearsals yet he managed to produce a vast volume of compositions.

Family

Born: Rohrau, Austria, March 31, 1732 - May 31, 1809
Father: Mathias Haydn, wheelwright
Mother: Maria Koller, cook
Siblings: Michael Haydn, composer, Johann Evangelist Haydn - tenor
Partners: His first great love, Therese Keller, became a nun. He later married her sister Maria Anna - not a happy marriage.
He had numerous extra marital affairs.
Children: May have had children with his long term mistress singer Luigia Polzelli.
Grave: Bergkirche, Eisenstadt, Burgenland, Austria

Works

- 104 Symphonies
- over 90 String Quartets
- 32 Piano Trios
- 62 Piano Sonatas
- Concertos for Piano, Cello, Trumpet, Harpsichord
- Stabat Mater
- 14 Masses,
- Oratorios: The Creation, The Seasons
- Choral Works
- over 330 songs

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