Joseph Haydn

Haydn was a kindly, fatherly figure, which earned him the nickname "Papa." He is also widely regarded as the "Father" of the symphony. While this may not be strictly true, he was the first to write symphonies of real strength and character. Haydn did the same for the string quartet, the piano trio, the keyboard sonata, and other new forms of the Classical period. In his finest music, his bright, vigorous personality shines through.
He was born on March 31, 1732, at Rohrau, Austria-Hungary. On 1740 joins choir and school of St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna. On 1753 becomes accompanist to Italian composer and teacher Nicola Porpora. He dies in Vienna, May 31, 1809.
By the standards of the time, Haydn lived to a ripe old age. When Haydn was born, J.S.Bach and Handel were still writing imposing oratorios and operas; by the time he had grown up, things had changed. Exciting new forms of orchestral and instrumental music marked the transition from the late Baroque to the Classical style. Haydn emerged as the first great master of the Classical period.

Circumstances helped him. During his years of service at the Esterházy court, often at the palace itself, Haydn had the time and the opportunity to perfect the four-movement symphony, the string quartet, and the keyboard sonata-the pillars of the new Classical style. By the time Haydn left the Esterházy court, he was already famous.