[Born in Rohrau, on the frontiers of Austria and Hungary, 1732. Died
at Vienna, 1809. Aged 77.]
The son of very poor and humble parents, who cheered their poverty and
supported their labour by home music. The family concerts constituted
Haydn’s initiation into Art. He was a passionate neophyte. At the age of
thirteen, he had composed a mass, which he was unable to write
correctly. Taken into the service of the great master Porpora, he
submitted to menial drudgery in order to have the advantage of his
instruction. In 1760, he entered the better service of Prince Esterhazy,
with whom, as Court Musician, he continued for the space of twenty-five
years. During that period, some of his finest symphonies were produced.
In 1791, he went, on invitation, to London, and continued there for
thirteen years, sending forth his inimitable works, and receiving honour
on every side. In 1794, he returned to Germany, established himself in
the suburbs of Vienna, and composed the oratorio of “The Creation.” He
died in 1809, from agitation, it is said, induced by the advance upon
Vienna of the French army. Haydn is one of the greatest of modern
musicians. He set free the spirit of instrumental music, and purified
his art by the purity, simplicity, and beauty of his works. He is
remarkable for lucid melody and for his power of effective painting. His
labours were enormous and his compositions countless. He could himself
reckon up to 800 works, large and small, and there he stopped.