Franz Joseph Haydn

Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer from the Classical era, often celebrated as the "Father of the Symphony" and the "Father of the String Quartet." While Haydn is perhaps best remembered for his later works—the Surprise Symphony No. 94, the London Symphonies, and the oratorio The Creation—he composed over 100 symphonies, many string quartets, numerous keyboard sonatas, operas, and sacred works throughout his long career. Beyond his innovations in instrumental music, Haydn’s mastery of form, wit, and compositional technique profoundly shaped the development of Classical style and influenced the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and countless others. In this course, we explore his symphonic output, from the early Sturm und Drang works, such as his Farewell Symphony No. 45 to the London Symphonies. We also examine the evolution of his string quartets, including the Op. 33 quartets and the Op. 76 quartets. Additionally, we explore his oratorios The Creation and The Seasons, his keyboard sonatas, and his cello concertos, among other important compositions. As we explore this music, we assess Haydn's pivotal role in shaping Classical style, his innovations in musical form and development, and his influence on composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and later composers like Prokofiev.