HAYDN, hedn (Ger. hicln), Franz Jo seph, Austrian musical composer: b. Rohrau, on the borders of Hungary and Lower Aus tria, 31 March .1732; d. Vienna, 31 May 1809. He was the son of a traveling wheelwright who was fond of music and taught his 12 children. Young Franz showing exceptional talent, he was trained by his cousin, a schoolmaster at Hainburg, where from six to eight years of age he learned reading, writing, singing by note, and to play on such instruments as his childish strength would admit of his handling. His voice attracted the notice of the parish priest, who recommended him as a choir-boy to the chapel-master of Saint Stephen's in Vi enna, and at eight Haydn was received into the choir. With the exception of some Latin and much practical music he seems here to have been taught nothing; in the theory and science of the art he received but two lessons from his master in eight years. At last in his 16th year, his voice began to break and he lost his place, but helped by some friends he took up his abode in an attic in the Austrian capital, intend ing to live by his art. At that time the first six sonatas of Emmanuel Bach fell into his hands. "I could not leave my instrument) he said in his old age, "until I had played them through; and anyone who knows me must perceive how much I owe to Emmanuel Bach, that I studied him carefully, and comprehended him.) After a time he became acquainted with Metastasio, the greatest operatic librettist of the time. The poet had charge of the education of a Signora Martinez, and Haydn was employed to give her elementary instructions in music. This af foil:led him an opportunity for mastering Ital ian, and what was of more immediate import ance, procured him board and lodging. Metas tasio introduced the struggling young artist to Porpora, a celebrated Italian musician, then in Vienna. As Porpora's accompanist he at tracted the attention of Gluck and other mas ters, and his prospects from this time onward grew steadily brighter. He was often engaged to play at the musical entertainments given by the Austrian nobles, was appointed organist of two churches, sang tenor parts in the choir of another and pupils rapidly became more numer ous. He wrote a short comic opera, hinkende Teufel) (The Limping Devil), which was given three nights with applause, but ow ing to the satirical character of the libretto was forbidden by the police. Having now the means, Haydn purchased and studied the theo retical works of Emmanuel Bach, Mattheson and Fux. In 1759 Count Morzin engaged him
as music composer and director at a salary of 200 florins, with free lodgings and table with his secretaries and other officials. The follow ing year he became assistant-kapellmeister to Prince Paul Esterhazy, and in 1766 full kapell meister or musical director to Prince Nicholas Esterhazy, remaining in their service for 30 years. Anything like a catalogue of his com positions during this time is impossible; much was destroyed on three separate occasions when his house was burned down and much was scattered; but they included 163 pieces for the baryton, an obsolete Instrument in size be tween the viola and the violoncello; about 120 symphonies for full orchestra; more than 100 works of chamber music of the higher forms, and 12 Italian operas performed in his patron's private theatre. Haydn married in 1759 but the: union was incompatible and resulted in a separation. On the death. of Prince Esterhazy, in 1790, Haydn visited London where the musi cal world received him with the greatest en thusiasm. Oxford University conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Music, and his stay lasted 18 months. Here he produced an opera, 'Orfeo,' nine symphonies, six quartettes, 11 sonatas, several songs and canzonets and the accompaniments to more than 100 Scotch songs. He visited London a second time in 1794, his stay lasting a like period, and on his return to Vienna set about composing the music of the oratorio, 'Creation,) the words adapted by Linley from Milton's 'Paradise Lost.' Haydn thought the text too long, and not being thor oughly acquainted with English, had it trans lated and curtailed by Baron von Swieten. was produced 19 March 1799, when its author was in his 66th year. It obtained a great suc cess and he was induced to undertake the music of another text prepared from Thompson's 'Seasons.) This work wants the freshness and vigor of the previous work; which may have resulted in some measure from the bar ren unpoetical text. Among the compositions of his declining years were some of his finest chamber music, the Austrian national Anthem and several masses; the last, his mass in C minor, was written in 1802. He died during. Napoleon's occupation of Vienna, and many French officers were among the mourners at his funeral. Consult Cowan, F. H., 'Haydn' (New York 1912) ; Brenet, M.,
(Paris 1909) ; Nohl, L., 'Life of Haydn' (Chicago 1889) ; Pohl, C. F.,