1. “Papa Haydn”
1732-1809
Franz Joseph Haydn
was one of the most prominent composers
of the Classical period, and is called by
some the "Father of the Symphony” and
the “Father of the String Quartet.” Joseph
Haydn was born in the Austrian village of
Rohrau, near the Hungarian border.
2. Haydn was short in
stature, perhaps as a
result of having been
underfed throughout
most of his youth.
Like many in his day,
he was a survivor of
smallpox and his face
was pitted with the
scars of this disease.
3. Haydn's parents were perceptive enough to notice
that their son was musically talented and knew
that in Rohrau he would have no chance to obtain
any serious musical training. It was for this
reason that they accepted a proposal from a
relative, the schoolmaster and choirmaster in
Hainburg, that Haydn be apprenticed to train as a
musician. Haydn therefore went off (ten miles
away) and never again lived with his parents. At
the time he was not quite six.
4. Life in the Franck household was
not easy for Haydn, who later
remembered being frequently
hungry as well as constantly
humiliated by the filthy state of
his clothing. However, he did
begin his musical training there,
and soon was able to play both
harpsichord and violin.
5. Haydn was also a
talented singer and
passed an audition
(for a choirboy at
St. Stephan’s
Cathedral) and soon
moved off to Vienna,
where he worked for
the next nine years
as a chorister.
6. After marriage, Haydn’s wife
often cut up or rolled his
manuscripts to roll her hair.
Needless to say, the marriage
didn’t last very long.
8. In 1922 the Germans stole the old Austrian imperial anthem
(composed by Austrian-- Joseph Haydn), and made it the
national anthem of the Republic of Germany. It is still in use
today. They used a text by Hoffmann von Fallersleben from
1841.
In 1929 the Austrians retaliated and declared the same Haydn
song the Austrian national anthem (with a new text by Ottokar
Kernstock). So for several years the two countries used the
same melody for their national anthem!
www.viennaonline-ezine.com/ai/ai0302.html
World War II and the post war era changed everything again.
The humble Austrians graciously let the Germans keep the
song and created their present national anthem with a text by
Paula von Preradovic and a melody by W. A. Mozart.
www.austria.org/nat_anthem.shtml
9. Translation of the Austrian National Anthem
Land of mountains, land on the river,
Land of fields, land of cathedrals,
Land of hammers, rich in outlook.
You are the native home of great sons,
A people uniquely gifted for the beautiful,
Much applauded Austria.
Fiercely embattled, ferociously contested,
You lie at the center of the globe,
Like a strong heart.
Since the days of your early ancestors
You have borne the burden of a sublime calling,
Much-tried Austria.
Courageously we stride
Into the new times, free and devout,
Industrious and of firm heart.
In unison choruses of brotherhood
We pledge our allegiance to thee,
Fatherland,
Much-loved Austria.
10. During the 12 years of the Nazi era, the
first stanza was the official anthem. In
May 1952 the third stanza was
proclaimed the official anthem of the
Federal Republic of Germany (West
Germany) by President Theodor Heuss.
(East Germany had its own anthem.)
The second stanza, while never verboten,
was not very popular because of its
“wine, women, and song” theme.
11. Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Germany, Germany above all,
Über alles in der Welt, Above everything in the world,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze When always, for protection,
Brüderlich zusammenhält, We stand together as brothers.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel, From the Maas to the Memel
Von der Etsch bis an den Belt - From the Etsch to the Belt -
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, Germany, Germany above all
Über alles in der Welt. Above all in the world.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue, German women, German loyalty,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang German wine and German song,
Sollen in der Welt behalten Shall retain in the world,
Ihren alten schönen Klang, Their old lovely ring
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern To inspire us to noble deeds
Unser ganzes Leben lang. Our whole life long.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue, German women, German loyalty,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang German wine and German song.
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Unity and law and freedom
für das deutsche Vaterland! For the German Fatherland
Danach lasst uns alle streben Let us all strive for that
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand! In brotherhood with heart and hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit Unity and law and freedom
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand; Are the foundation for happiness
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes, Bloom in the glow of happiness
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland. Bloom, German Fatherland.
12. Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp minor, known
as the "Farewell" Symphony (Abschieds-
Symphonie), was composed in 1772. It is
particularly noteworthy that the symphony
(along with others of this Sturm and Drang
period of Haydn’s career) was highly
unconventional for the time. The symphony is
one of Haydn's better-known works from this
period.
13. This final adagio includes a bit of stage business that may not be obvious
to a listener hearing a recorded performance: several of the musicians are
given little solos to play just before departing. The order of departure is:
first oboe and second horn (solos), bassoon (no solo), second oboe and
first horn (solos), double bass (solo), cello (no solo), orchestral violins
(solos; first chair players silent), viola (no solo). The first chair violinists
remain to complete the work.
A typical performance of the Farewell Symphony lasts around twenty-five
minutes.
14. Nickname (the Surprise)
Haydn's music contains many jokes, and the 'Surprise' Symphony
includes probably the most famous of all: a sudden loud chord in
the theme of the variation-form second movement after a tranquil
opening. The music then returns to its original quiet dynamic, as if
nothing had happened, and the ensuing variations do not repeat the
joke.
Composition and Premiere
Haydn wrote the symphony in 1791 in London for a concert series.
As with Haydn's England visits in general, the premiere was
greatly successful. In his feeble old age Haydn remembered the
premiere with nostalgia:
...it was my wish to surprise the public with something new, and to
make a debut in a brilliant manner, in order not to be outdone by
my pupil Pleyel [who was leading a rival series of concerts].
15. More than any other composer's,
Haydn's music is known for its
humor.
