Joseph Haydn

Born in Rohrau, Austria, in 1732, Joseph Haydn rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential composers in Western music. As a boy he sang in Vienna, and after difficult early years as a freelance musician, he built his career through skill, discipline, and an extraordinary gift for melody and structure.

Much of his working life was spent in the service of the Esterházy family, where he had the rare chance to compose, conduct, and experiment constantly. That long period of steady work helped him develop the symphony and string quartet in lasting ways, and earned him the nickname "Father of the Symphony." His fame later spread across Europe, especially after highly successful visits to London.

In his later years, Haydn wrote some of his most celebrated music, including the oratorios The Creation and The Seasons. He died in 1809, but his influence reached directly into the next generation: Mozart admired him deeply, and Beethoven studied with him for a time.