欣賞海頓 (Joseph Haydn) 的音樂名作
陳靖惠

Joseph Haydn (March 31, 1732 - May 31, 1809) was a prolific Austrian composer who epitomized the Classical era. He wrote hundreds of instrumental sonatas, string quartets, and symphonies that helped define these genres. His work greatly influenced later composers including Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Brahms. He is often called "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet."

Haydn's music is famous for its humor, unpredictability, cleverness, and elegance. In Symphony No. 94 ("Surprise") (1791), he inserts a very loud chord within a quiet passage, which often wakes up audience members who have fallen asleep. His music also evokes vivid imagery. For example, his oratorio "The Creation" (1796-1798) portrays the universe taking shape.

Haydn was prolific not only because of his diligence and imagination, but also because of noble patronage. He was born in the small Austrian village of Rohrau. At age eight, he became a choirboy at St. Stephen's cathedral in Vienna. As a teenager, he barely supported himself as a freelance musician in Vienna. His fortunes began to improve in the late 1750's as Vienna's noble families became aware of his music. On May 1, 1761, he went to work for the Esterhazy family and continued to work for them for the next 30 years. He wrote many of his compositions for performance at their vast summer palace, Esterhaza. Among several important works from this period, the "Paris" symphonies (1785-1786) and the "Seven Last Words of Christ" (1786) were commissioned from abroad.

The Esterhazys curtailed their musical activities in 1790, but by that time Haydn was known all over Europe and widely considered the greatest living composer. He himself deferred to Mozart in that regard. Two trips to London during the 1790's resulted in two sets of six symphonies each, including the "Surprise," "London," "Military," and "Drumroll" symphonies. He also composed the Trumpet Concerto and the "Fifths" and "Emperor" string quartets. His final masterpieces included powerful choral works: "The Creation" and "The Seasons" oratorios and a group of six masses. Haydn stopped composing in 1803 as he became old and weak. He died in Vienna on May 31, 1809.