Franz Joseph Haydn (1732–1809), one of the most influential composers in Western classical music, was born in the Austrian village of Rohrau to a wheelwright father and a cook mother. His musical education began early when his exceptional singing voice caught the attention of a relative, who invited the six-year-old to live with him and receive musical training. At eight, Haydn joined the choir school at St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, where he spent nearly a decade honing his musical skills. However, when his voice broke in his late teens, he was unceremoniously dismissed and struggled as a freelance musician.
In 1761, Haydn entered the service of the wealthy Esterházy family, one of Austria-Hungary’s most powerful noble houses. Prince Paul Anton Esterházy appointed him vice-Kapellmeister; later, under Prince Nikolaus Esterházy, he became full Kapellmeister. This position, which he held for nearly thirty years, provided Haydn with unprecedented creative freedom and resources. The Esterházy court maintained a full orchestra and opera company, allowing Haydn to experiment with different musical forms.
During his tenure with the Esterhazys, Haydn composed most of his 104 symphonies, which evolved from the simple three-movement Italian overture style to complex four-movement works. Notable examples include the “Surprise” Symphony No. 94, with its famous unexpected fortissimo chord, and the “London” Symphony No. 104, which represents the culmination of his symphonic achievement.
Haydn’s contributions extended far beyond symphonies. He created the string quartet as we know it, composing 68 works in this genre that established the conversational interplay between four equal voices. His oratorios “The Creation” and “The Seasons” demonstrated his mastery of large-scale choral composition. At the same time, his piano sonatas contributed significantly to keyboard literature.
In 1790, following Prince Nikolaus’s death, Haydn gained his freedom and embarked on two highly successful trips to London (1791–1792 and 1794–1795). These visits, organized by the impresario Johann Peter Salomon, brought him international fame and financial security. The twelve “London Symphonies” composed for these visits represent some of his finest work.
After composing the oratorio “The Seasons” (1799–1801), Haydn developed signs of mental deterioration. He lost his creative strength during the last eight years of his life and could not compose any further works. Distressed by the inactivity imposed on him by his illness, he died, presumably from cardiac failure, fully conscious to the moment of his death.
Most of Haydn’s biographers attribute his deterioration to diffuse atherosclerosis. But a more recent inspection of documents and sources has led to the diagnosis of subcortical vascular encephalopathy (SVE), caused by progressive cerebral small vessel disease. Essential features of this disease are mood changes, urinary symptoms, and a characteristic gait disturbance. Dementia is mild and occurs only later.1
Joseph Haydn died in Vienna in 1809, having witnessed the transformation of musical life from the Baroque era through the early Romantic period. His influence cannot be overstated. He mentored Mozart, with whom he shared a deep mutual respect, and taught Beethoven, passing on the classical tradition while encouraging innovation. His legacy endures in his vast catalog of masterworks and in the structural principles and expressive possibilities he established for symphonic and chamber music.
Haydn’s grave was ransacked only a few days after the funeral, and his skull was stolen. It was then passed from owner to owner. Only in 1954 was it reunited for burial with the rest of his remains and was finally restored to his resting place in Eisenstadt after a protracted and devious journey.2
References
- Blahak C, Hansjörg Bäzner H, Henneric MG. “Joseph Haydn’s encephalopathy: New aspects.” Prog Brain Res. 2015:216:317-29.
- Franken FH. “The life of Joseph Haydn from a medical point of view.” Wien Klin Wochenschr. Jun 25, 1976:88(13):429-32.