An Elementary History of Music

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ...in Haydn's career was the publication of his first symphony (1759), which may be said to have been an epoch in the history of music, for in it were laid the foundations of all modern works of a similar class. In 1760, Haydn was fortunate enough to attract the notice of Prince Paul Esterhazy, a liberal patron of musical genius, and from that date his position was made. He became the Prince's Kappelmeister (leader of the band) at Eisenstadt and Esterhaz, and on the death of his patron, a year afterwards, retained the office in the household of his successor (Nicolaus Esterhazy), with whom he remained for thirty years, during which period he produced an incredible number of admirable works, including symphonies, numerous quartetts, some of them among his best, several oratorios, masses, etc. At the end of these thirty years of ceaseless creative activity, Haydn accompanied the celebrated violinist Salomon to England, where he obtained the full recognition which was due to his genius. Between 1791 and 1794, he produced the twelve grand symphonies, known as the Salomon's set, which were performed at the Haymarket. At the close of 1795, Haydn retired to Vienna, where he spent the remainder of his life, and composed his beautiful oratorios--the Creation and the Seasons. In 1802 he published his two last quartetts, and died in 1809, at the ripe age of seventy-seven. Haydn is one of the few great geniuses who may be said to have fully worked out their career, and to have lived until their work was completed. His whole life was devoted to music; h& existed but to produce, or to render, the productions of others. His industry was prodigious: in the early part of his-life he worked sixteen, sometimes eighteen, hours a day; and even when cond...