MUSIC: “Haydn” Seek – the Search for Papa Haydn
By the end of the 18th century, Franz Joseph Haydn was one of the most talented, popular and influential musicians in Europe. He had thirty years working for the Esterháza court with the ability to tour and compose on contract. Haydn’s warm personality and innovative development of the string quartet and the symphony tagged him deservedly with the nickname “Papa Haydn.” And yet today, his music tends to be greatly overshadowed by that of later colleagues like Mozart and Beethoven. In the 200th anniversary year of Haydn’s death, delve into the life, times and music of one of the most prolific and gifted of all composers. Passion, wit, humour, tragedy, versatility and craft – Haydn had them all.
“SO FAR AS GENIUS CAN EXIST IN A MAN
WHO IS MERELY A
VIRTUOSO, HAYDN HAD IT. HE WENT AS FAR
AS THE LIMITS
THAT MORTALITY SETS TO INTELLECT. ”
Friedrich Nietzsche
LEADER
Rick Phillips was the Host and Producer of SOUND ADVICE for 14 years, heard every weekend across Canada on CBC Radio. SOUND ADVICE is now available as a webcast at www.rickphillips.ca.
Rick is also a busy freelance writer and reviewer, lecturer, panel moderator, consultant, tour guide and concert host. He’s the author of The Essential Classical Recordings – 101 CDs published by McClelland & Stewart, and leads a variety
of music history and appreciation courses in Toronto. He has long been concerned that Haydn does not receive the credit he’s due.
BOOKS
Participants are required to obtain the specified editions in order to facilitate the group’s ability to find and cite portions of the text during discussion.
Jens Peter Larsen with Georg Feder. The New Grove Haydn
Norton & Co. (1983)
ISBN-10: 0393300854; ISBN-13: 9780393300857
Try to listen to as much Haydn as you can. Symphonies, string
quartets, sonatas, choral works, etc. |
