Great Musicians of All Times

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 292, 5 September 1931, Page 23

Great Musicians of All Times

HAYDN, MASTER OF MELODY.

By

P.E.M.

While many men of genius have been erratic in behaviour and extremely careless in most matters of life, others have been very methodical. Unlike many other composers of his time, Haydn was a very orderly man who planned his tasks ahead and kept at them. The result is that he left a great Variety of compositions which the world treasures to-day..

Joseph Haydn, the Austrian musical composer, was; born at Rohrua, near Vienna, in 1732. He joined the phoir of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna, when he was eight years of age, and remained there until he was seventeen, when his place was taken by his brother Johann. During this time he had formed a friendship with Motastasio, an Italian poet and librettist, and Porpora, an Italian singer and master.

Haydn wrote no less than 125 symphonies, the first of which he issued / when he was 28 • years old. In 1701 began what proved to be a lifelong connection with his patrons, : the Ester hazys. In that year he was appointed musical director at Esterstadt and Esterhaz. Prince Antony Esterhazy always called Haydn “The Moor” because of his swarthy complexion, and he received him into his house in the following manner: —“Go down and dress yourself like a professor. Do not let me see you any more in.this trim; you cut a pitiful figure.” Haydn wrote much music while holding his appointment, especially works for wind instruments (fife, flute, etc.), the clavier, stringed quartets. and symphonies, among which were “Farewell’' and “Joy.” Haydn was a man of regular habits. He rose at six o’clock and dressed with much neatness, then sat down near his iiiiimiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiii

piano . and, wrote till. noon. He attended the concert of his Prince, which lasted an hour and a-half, at two o’clock daily. Twice a week he directed an opera. If there was no opera he superintended the rehearsal of some new piece. At seven o’clock he supped, and passed the remainder of the evening with his friends. By the constant habit of writing five, hours dally he accumulated a large collection of music. ' . The composing of six symphonies marked' a visit to England (his first, I believe), where he directed them personally, under contract with Solemn. A f later visit to England was signalised in a similar manner. Haydn’s great and distinguished career was crowned by two - choral works, “The Creation” (!?&») “The Seasons” (1801). “The Creation” is probably the most popular of Haydn’s worn. His oratorlbs rank with those of Han-

del. He proved hintself to be a master of melody and a creator of symphony. Haydn was the first to extend the sonata form, ana established the principles upon which all further development was founded. He was the first to make the individual parts in quartets and chamber music of almost equal importance. Ou the death of Haydn in 1809 he was buried in the cemetery of St. Marxer Lihie, near Vienna, where the mortal remains.of Mozart already lay. iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiini