Person

Haydn, Joseph (01.04.1732 - 31.05.1809)

Austrian composer.

From 1738, at the age of just six, Joseph Haydn received excellent musical instruction from his cousin and caught the attention of the musical director of St Stephen’s Cathedral, who took him to Vienna in 1740 to sing in the choir. In the cathedral choir, Haydn received lessons in singing, piano and violin. From 1749, he began a career as a freelance musician and composed works of his own. From 1754, he worked for the Viennese court and, from 1761, for Prince Esterházy in Eisenstadt. From 1781, he developed a close friendship with Mozart, whose work he had influenced, and with whom he performed in concerts. Haydn’s concert tours took him all over Europe, and from 1793 he lived in the suburbs of Vienna. From 1802, his health began to fail, and he died in 1809.

His works include major symphonies, operas, masses, piano sonatas and much more. Haydn’s compositions influenced numerous musicians.

Haydn’s portrait appears on the 20-Schilling note from 1950.

https://d-nb.info/gnd/118547356

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

https://term.museum-digital.de/md-de/persinst/5608

https://viaf.org/viaf/95146280

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG158196

https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7349

https://ikmk.smb.museum/ndp/person/8540

10.05.2024

05.08.2026