Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) had a long and prolific musical career, composing countless pieces of music over five decades. His significant contributions to symphony and string quartet music influenced musicians like his friend Mozart and student Beethoven and ushered in music’s classical period.
From singing to writing music
Son of a music-loving wheel maker, Haydn was sent to a relative’s for music training when he was only 6. Discovered by a choir director two years later, the young boy became a treble in the St. Stephen’s Cathedral boys choir in Vienna, Austria.
When Haydn turned 17, his voice matured, and he could no longer sing the high notes, so he was subsequently dismissed from the choir. Staying in Vienna, he taught and performed music to make ends meet, all the while teaching himself music theory and composition. In 1761, the 29-year-old Haydn landed a job as Kapellmeister for the royal Esterhazy family. His responsibilities comprised managing an orchestra and composing music for the prince.
Haydn flourished in the steady employ of appreciative masters. He once said, " I could...make experiments, observe what created an impression, and what weakened it, thus improving, adding to, cutting away, and running risks."
Haydn's music
No single word can describe Haydn's music, which is at times upbeat, even playful, and at times serious and meditative. As Kapellmeister, Haydn composed music for twice-weekly concerts. These compositions ranged from chamber music to symphonies and operas. The remoteness of the Esterhaza palace, where he spent much of his time, enabled him to be creative. Haydn said, "There was nobody in my vicinity to confuse and annoy me in my course, and so I had to become
original."
Enduring fame
After 18 years with the Esterhazys, Haydn's fame had grown so much that the family allowed him to write for others and sell music. Commissions from abroad came pouring in. In 1790 he traveled to London and made a second trip in 1794. the English loved him immensely; one critic even said，"Like our own Shakespeare, (Haydn) moves and governs the Passions at his will."
In the midst of Napoleon's conquest of Vienna in May 1809, Haydn, 77, lay on his deathbed. The French conqueror paid Haydn the final honor of stationing guards to protect the master composer's home from French troops. Today, Haydn is honored as the Father of the Symphony, and his music continues to entertain and inspire.
More Information
Haydn sometimes sent his audience subtle messages. For example, in 1772 the prince planned to keep the court in session longer than usual, but the musicians missed their families and wanted to go home. So during the last section of the "Farewell" Symphony, each musician left, one by one, until only Haydn and another musician were left playing.
The prince got the point and let the musicians return home the following day.
Grammar
Staying in Vienna, he taught and performed music to make ends meet, all the while teaching himself music theory and composition.
all the while- all the activity happened at the same period of time.
While Haydn was staying in Vienna, he taught and performed music to make ends meet.
During that time, he was also teaching himself music theory and composition.
all the while-
*I was trying to watch this ballet performance, all the while a cell phone kept ringing in the auditorium.
*Mark was busy preparing the food and setting the table, all the while his brother was watching TV.
Vocabulary
choir-合唱团，诗班
*Patrick is a tenor in the church choir.男高音
*Wesley never misses choir practice. 诗班练习
*The choir plays an essential part in the concert.
subsequently- 随即，后来，随后 sequ-有＂跟随＂的意思
*Susan graduated from college and subsequently continued with a master's program.随后继续
*The singer's first album was an instant hit. Subsequently, she received immediate fame and wealth.
comprises-包含，由．．．组成，由．．组合
*The committee comprises 12 students' parents as representatives.
*The seminar comprises physical training, lectures and group discussion.包含体能训练，讲座，团体讨论．
upbeat-欢乐，欢欣，乐观，积极向上的cheerful, happy.
*The lively songs playing on the radio put me in an upbeat mood this morning.生动的．．欢愉的心情
*Her upbeat personality makes people around her like her a lot.积极向上乐观的性格．
immensely-非常的，极其的．
*The immensely successful entrepreneur is very humble.非常成功的
*Getting this loan is immensely important for the company right now.
meditative-沉斯的，默想的．meditate- 沉思，默想．quiet and peace,pay all attention to it,
*The atmosphere of the room created a meditative mood.
Meditative music can soothe tension and stress.舒解紧张，与压力．
Chat Room
symphony- 交响乐，交响曲，交响音乐会．
going to the symphony-去听音乐会，去听交响乐．
movement／movements （多数）-乐章／交响乐包含了四个乐章：
symphony orchestra-交响乐团．
交响乐团由下列四种乐器组成的：
woodwinds-木管乐器
brass-铜管乐器
strings-丝铉乐器
percussion-打击乐器
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days are numbered-日子不多了，屈指可数，死期已近，活不救了．（人，工作）
lay on his/her deathbed-凭临死亡，弥留或临终前的时间．临死前的数小时．
deathbed-死亡之床，指临终所卧的床．
on one's last leg-垂死，生命即将结束．（可用在人，机器，东西上）
He is on his last leg =lay on his deathbed=His days are numbered.
This old car is on it's last leg-这辆老爷快不能开了
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