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Franz Joseph Haydn: Compositions
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Haydn was a devout Catholic who often turned to his rosary when he had trouble composing, a practice that he usually found to be effective. When he finished a composition, he would write "Laus deo" ("praise be to God") or some similar expression at the end of the manuscript. His favorite hobbies were hunting and fishing.
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In 1804, Haydn retired from Esterháza, and illness effectively prevented him from any further composition. During May 1809, Napoleon reached Vienna, but Haydn stayed there, guarded respectfully by two of the invader's sentries. On 31 May 1809 Haydn died peacefully in his sleep.
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With borrowed money, Haydn bought a second-hand clavier; he then started to teach as well as to refine his playing and composition techniques. Along the way, he ... met useful contacts, such as the fashionable poet Pietro Metastasio and the singing teacher Nicola Porpora, who taught Haydn composition.
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Haydn was so busy with his administrative duties in the Esterházy household at this time that his output of compositions was the lowest of his career. It is remarkable that he even found the time to compose a major concerto, but it is no surprise that the results are so elegant.
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The Prince died within a year and was replaced by his brother, who had even more expansive ideas, calling for a continuous stream of compositions, both operatic and instrumental, from Haydn. This Prince, Nikolaus the Magnificent, played the baryton (a six-stringed, bowed instrument). Haydn discreetly mastered it him- self and over the years composed over 150 pieces for the Prince to play.
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