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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Franz Joseph Haydn was born in Rohrau, Austria, in 1732. This is a classical story of poverty to musical fame and riches. Franz Joseph's father was a farmer-wheelwright from Croatia (some say Germany). Both his father and mother were fond of music - but their music took the form of country dances and songs, not the classical church music of the cultured classes. Nevertheless it was this parental affection that recognised and supported Franz Joseph's early musical genius.

He was taken to school in Hainburg by a schoolmaster called Franck. From there he was transferred to St Stephen's in Vienna, where he joined the choir with his elder brother Michael. After leaving St Stephens he spent some time formally studying the principles of musical composition, starting with the clavier sonatas of CPE Bach.

Franz Joseph's breakthrough came early. At the age of 20 he wrote the music for a farce. The music became very popular, and he was immediately acknowledged by his profession. This led to an appointment by Nicola Antonio Porpora (1686 - 1768) (a great Italian composer and singing teacher, living in Austria) as an accompanist. This gave him the opportunity to study all the standard musical works and to teach students himself. He was also in great demand as a performer. This opened further opportunities for him, eventually leading to his appointment as second Kapellmeister to Prince Esterházy. After five years he was promoted to senior Kapellmeister. Here he served under two generations of the family in Austria, or the Prince's summer residence in Esterhátz, Hungary, for 30 years.

In 1760, when he was 28 he married, but there were no children and the marriage only lasted a few years.

Although this removed him from the mainstream of musical activity, he wrote most of his music for the players and singers of the Esterházy household which gave him considerable musical freedom. Here, then, he was able to develop his own style and invention. He was happy. His relations with his musicians was excellent, and he experimented freely. His music is full of delights and surprises; and his fame spread throughout Europe.

Franz accepted invitations to visit London in 1791 and 1794. He was welcomed in court, and was awarded the degree of Mus.D from Oxford University. Whilst in London he was commissioned by Johann Peter Salomon to write six symphonies - Salomon also encouraged him to write the oratorio The Creation¹. He taught many famous students, among whom was Beethoven (not an east relationship!).  His friends included Mozart, whom he admired greatly - many of their works reveal this mutual influence. He wrote prodigiously. 

He was a prolific composer in nearly every genre. He wrote some 107 symphonies. He is sometimes referred to as the Father of the Symphony - not really true - but he did develop it out its rigidity, and his inventiveness raised it to new possibilities on which later composers built and built, and built. He also composed string quartets and developed these into a new art-form. His 20 operas are still being rediscovered, and his oratorios (including The Creation, and The Seasons) are in constant demand. So, altogether, a giant of the musical scene. His influence on contemporaries and later generations of musicians has been incalculable. Arthur Sullivan would have been similarly influenced.

Later, he started to catalogue his own works - a vast undertaking. In this task he was assisted by the court copyist Joseph Ellsler. This was later completed by Ellsler's son Johann who became Franz Joseph's copyist and faithful servant.

Now hardly a day goes by that does not include performances of works from this great musician. We have included a few MusicSmiles arrangements of his pieces to give a flavour of his genius. But visit your library or music shop to listen to more. Better still, go to a live concert or two; we know you're sure to enjoy the experience.

Let's start by visiting Franz Joseph's fabulous oratorio The Creation . . .

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