Chapter 13:Classical Composers: Haydn and Mozart

Vienna: Home to Classical Composers• Viennese School: Classical style epitomized by

composers such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert; “Viennese Classical Style”

• Capital of the Old Holy Roman Empire

• Fourth largest city in Europe

• Cosmopolitan center

• Attracted musicians from throughout Europe

• Aristocratic patrons

• Public concerts

• Amateur performers

Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)• First of the great composers to move to Vienna

• Serves as a choirboy and studied composition, violin, and keyboard at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna

• 1750’s: Worked as a freelance musician

Haydn• 1761: Engaged as music director for the court of

Hungarian Prince Nikolaus Esterházy– Worked there for nearly thirty years (1761-1790)

– Conducted the prince’s personal orchestra

– Composed music ordered by the prince

– Unauthorized copies of his music made its was to Vienna and other foreign capitals

Haydn• London tours– Two trips: 1791-1792 & 1794-1785

– Composed set of 12 symphonies known as the “London Symphonies”

• Influential creator of the mature Classical style

• 106 Symphonies, 70 string quartets, operas, 52 piano sonatas, 14 Masses, 2 oratorios

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)• Born in Salzburg, Austria to a musical family

• Displayed extraordinary talent at on early age– Most famous child prodigy in history

• Toured throughout Europe– Exposure to a wealth of musical styles

• 1770’s: Court musician in Salzburg

• 1781-1791: Free-lance musician in Vienna– Peak of success: 1785-1787

– Final years plagued by ill health and financial difficulties

Mozart• Possibly the greatest musical genius the world has

ever known

• Compositions display diversity, breadth of expression, and perfect formal control that is only matched by the works of J.S. Bach