This course is a biographical and musical study of Franz Haydn (1732-1809) and explores his efforts to create and develop the Classical symphony and quartet and, to a lesser extent, other Classical genres, such as the trio and piano sonata.
The music of Haydn is so technically superb, so widely imitated, and so rich in both quality and quantity that almost since the moment of its creation it has summed up the Classical style.
To know the man behind such works is to see Haydn’s extraordinary achievement not merely as a technical feat or a display of pure talent but as a triumph of generosity and human spirit.
These lectures include excerpts from more than three dozen works by Haydn.